Maynooth goalkeeper makes Premier League switch

Goalkeeper Mark Travers has today completed a transfer from Bournemouth to fellow Premier League side Everton. He moves for an undisclosed fee but it is thought to be in the region of £4m plus add ons.

The Maynooth man made 82 appearances in all competitions for the Cherries, 24 of those in the Premier League, since making his debut against Tottenham Hotspur in May 2019.

He started his career with Confey in Leixlip as a very young player before moving to Lucan Utd, and spent a season at Under 16 level with Cherry Orchard. He move to Shamrock Rovers in time for the first National League Under 17 season, won a national title there.

After moving across the water, his best season in Bournemouth colours was their promotion season of 2021/22 when he only missed game and won the Golden Gloves award for the Championship, as well as the club’s Player of the Year award.

During his time at Bournemouth, he had loans spells with Weymouth, where he memorably scored a goal on his senior debut, Swindon Town, Stoke City, and most recently had a very successful spell during the second half of last season with Middlesbrough after joining in January.

Now 26, Travers, who has four Irish senior international caps, joins Everton at an exciting time for the Toffees. Next season will be their first in their new Hill Dickinson stadium on the banks of the River Mersey and after a strong finish to last season under David Moyes there is more optimism around the club than there has been in many years.

“I'm extremely proud and excited to be an Everton player. Coming in, you can feel how big this club is and the history that comes with it," Travers told EvertonTv.

"You really feel that with the fanbase, the new stadium now as well and the direction the club is going in. \It's a fresh start for me to come up here and try a new chapter in my career. It's a really exciting time to be part of this massive football club and I just can't wait to get going."

He joins a club where England number one Jordan Pickford is firmly established as first choice and will likely have to be patient while waiting on opportunities but Everton has aspirations of challenging for European places within the next few seasons so opening may arise.

"Jordan (Pickford) is an outstanding goalkeeper for club and country. I'm looking forward to competing with everyone here and being a Premier League player,” said Travers.

There will of course be some familiar faces within the dressing rooms in the club’s training ground at Finch Farm. Ireland captain Seamus Coleman recently signed a one year extension to his contract and he is entering his 17th season at the club, while Jake O’Brien showed some very impressive form under Moyes in his first season in the Premier League.