Toffees sign goalkeeper Wessels

Goalkeeper Stefan Wessels has left German second division club Cologne to join Everton on a one-year deal.

Wessels has been with Cologne since 2003, playing 54 games in the top flight and 39 in the second division for them before losing his grasp on the number one jersey to Colombian Faryd Mondragon this season.

Cologne allowed him to leave on a free transfer to join the Merseyside club, where he signed a 12-month contract today.

“We have accepted the wishes of the player to leave the club due to the new situation in goal,” explained Cologne general manager Michael Meier on the club’s website.

“We regret that he has left us, but can understand his decision.”

Wessels joined Cologne from Bayern Munich where he had been second choice to Oliver Kahn.