AJ capture signifies Everton intent

EVERTON believe they have made a statement of intent for the future of their club by capturing England striker Andrew Johnson as their new record signing.

Johnson has cost the Goodison Park club £8.6million, beating the previous high of £6million spent by manager David Moyes to bring James Beattie from Southampton in January 2005.

The Johnson fee and the fact that Everton expect to win the race to sign Chelsea’s Germany international Robert Huth for £5.5million means they will shatter the Goodison Park summer transfer budget.

It also shows that Everton still see themselves as a big club and need to prove that to their long-suffering fans who have seen a host of top names slip through their fingers over recent years.

Johnson turned down Wigan and Bolton in preference to Everton.