Everton announce João Virginia contract extension amid Jordan Pickford speculation

Everton have announced that goalkeeper João Virginia has signed a contract extension which will tie him to the club until 2025.

The 23-year-old spent last season on loan to Eredivisie side SC Cambuur making 17 starts in the net and registering the fifth-highest save percentage in the Dutch top-flight.

The Portugal youth regular had loan spells with Reading and Sporting Clube de Portugal as he bids to make an impact on the first team next season with the future of current No.1 Jordan Pickford questioned amid his links to Manchester United [Daily Star].

Speaking to evertonfc.com following his renewal, Virginia said: “A lot has changed since I’ve been away on loan last season. There’s new players and a new manager so it feels like a fresh start.

“I’d like to play more and more. Obviously, at a big club like Everton, it’s a step up but I want to take on that challenge.”

Virginia has racked himself up a lot of goalkeeping experience for such a young shot-stopper.

Having made an impression on the first team in 2021 in Everton’s FA Cup quarter-final loss to Manchester City, the youngster has gone on to show real promise as perhaps Everton’s No.1 in the future.

While it is unlikely he will become a regular at Goodison Park next season, Pickford’s Everton future has been questioned. His departure could see Virginia’s progression quickened as the England No.1 has been linked to a move to Manchester United.

David de Gea recently announced his departure from Old Trafford, boosting speculation about Pickford’s Everton career. However, Fabrizio Romano reported (9 July) that United were now focusing solely on Inter Milan’s Andre Onana as their de Gea replacement, which will be music to the ears of Everton fans.

His displays last season show real promise but was marred by a leaky defence and a few unforced errors from the goalkeeper. His loan move was terminated after Virginia suffered an injury in April, putting his Everton career in jeopardy.

He did however provide some match-winning moments for the Dutch side, including a vital late save against PSV’s Cody Gakpo before his January switch to rivals Liverpool.

Despite some questions, the club have backed him and given him a new contract, perhaps with a view to sending him back out on loan.

But he is a player who backs himself but is also keen on self-development. At still such a young age for a goalkeeper, there is plenty of time for the former Arsenal youth product to improve himself and perhaps clinch a Premier League appearance with the Toffees.