Everton To Sign Udinese Defender Kroldrup For £5m

[Woozie]

Everton have agreed a £5m deal for Udinese's Denmark international central defender Per Kroldrup.

The powerful 25-year-old was a key figure in Udinese qualifying for the Champions League after finishing fourth in Serie A last season.

Everton manager David Moyes has been in the market for a central defender, with Alan Stubbs yet to sign a new deal.

Moyes was unwilling to pay the £7m asking price for Manchester City's Sylvain Distin and moved for Kroldrup.

The move is subject to personal terms being agreed and a medical, Everton beating off last-minute competition from Bundesliga side Schalke 04.

But Everton are confident that Kroldrup will become their second high-profile signing of the summer, after landing Spurs' Welsh international Simon Davies in a deal that could eventually be worth £4m.

Udinese spokesman Guido Gomirato said the Italian club "have not yet received any offer from Everton" - but it is understood they will complete the deal when Kroldrup travels to Merseyside for a medical.

Moyes has, however, appeared to rule out a move for Norwich's newly-capped England goalkeeper Robert Green.

Everton were linked with a £2.5m move for the 25-year-old, but Moyes played down the speculation.

First-choice Nigel Martyn is 38, while deputy Richard Wright has been troubled by injuries and poor form.

But Moyes said: "I'm happy with the goalkeeping situation we have here."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/4111368.stm

[bez]

good stuff!

[TheDeli]

Good signing for Everton, and he's younger than Weir & Stubbs 

[acbaylove]

Congrats to Everton, cause he's a very good young player.