The worst kept transfer secret in years is now official, Jermaine Beckford is an Everton player. It was back in January when it was widely reported that Beckford had signed a pre-contract agreement with the Blues and after leaving Leeds last week, the striker has now signed a 4 year deal at Everton on a free transfer. He becomes Everton’s 2nd summer signing joining Jan Mucha, also on a free transfer, with Joao Silva also rumoured to have signed

Beckford started his career in non-league with Wealdstone where his goal scoring exploits brought him to the attention of Leeds United. After loan spells at Carlisle and Scunthorpe, Beckford started to show his ability at League 1 level after Leeds’ relegation from the Championship, scoring 20 goals in his first season where Leeds went on to lose the play off final. It was sign of greater things to come as he hit 34 goals the following year as Leeds missed out on promotion losing to Millwall in the play-offs. It was to be 3rd time lucky for Leeds last season as they won promotion back to the Championship on the final day of the season, Beckford’s 31st goal of the campaign and his final goal for Leeds proved decisive in a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers at Elland Road.

Questions have been raised about whether he can make the step up 2 divisions to the Premier League, but in 2009/10 FA Cup he impressed as he scored the winner for Leeds at Old Trafford against their bitter rivals Manchester United, following that up with 2 goals at White Hart Lane against Spurs forcing a replay which Leeds then went on to lose.

The signing will be worrying one for James Vaughan who has been plagued with injuries and was twice sent out on loan this season, managing just two games for Derby County before injury, and the one solitary goal for Leicester City. With Beckford, a similar player to Vaughan, signing on a free transfer, Everton may look to boost their summer transfer kitty by cashing in on Vaughan who would fetch £1-2m.

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