Dan Gosling seals four-year deal to Newcastle after controversial Everton exit
DAN GOSLING has joined newly-promoted Newcastle United after the former Plymouth Argyle starlet controversially left Everton a free agent.
Chris Hughton's Magpies have spent the summer trying to strengthen their squad for life back in the Premier League on a tight budget, and have snapped up the 20-year-old
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Dan Gosling
(above)
on a free transfer after exploiting his complicated contractual situation at Goodison Park.
The young Devonian follows Nottingham Forest utility player James Perch, 24, into the club, with Hughton investing in players he believes will develop and increase in value over the course of their contracts.
Gosling, who will wear the Newcastle number 15 shirt, has signed a four-year deal, although it will be several months before the midfielder is able to pull on the black and white shirt in earnest as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.
The deal was agreed in principle some time ago after the Magpies took advantage of Everton's failure to follow up a verbal contract offer in writing by a prescribed deadline.
An independent hearing, on July 7, convened under Premier League rules, cleared the way for Newcastle to push home their interest, although they wanted to await any response from the Toffees before putting pen to paper.
Brixham-born Gosling, who began his professional career at Argyle, made a £2million switch from Home Park to Merseyside in January 2008.
Gosling's decision to leave Everton meant the Pilgrims missed out on money they were expecting as part of the deal, which was for an initial fee of £1million.
That figure could have risen to £2million subject to appearances and international honours.
However, Gosling was delighted to have clinched a move to St James' Park.
He said: "It's a brilliant move for me. Now that the deal is done, I just can't wait to get started.
"I have played at St James' Park before and know all about the amazing atmosphere.
"Playing there in a black and white shirt is something I have thought about already, and it will be a great day when I finally get to walk out in front of 50,000 people.
"The gaffer (Hughton) and all of the lads have been great with me and have made me feel really welcome since I arrived.
"Hopefully, I can repay the faith they have shown in me."
Gosling
(above)
, who made 37 first team appearances for Everton, was just three games away from netting Argyle an extra £250,000.
Everton wanted Gosling, who can play in midfield or at full-back, to sign a new contract worth up to £15,000-a-week.
But a failure to put that verbal offer in writing by mid-May ultimately meant he walked out of Goodison a free agent.
Gosling has been out of action since rupturing cruciate knee ligaments in a collision with Wolves keeper Marcus Hahnemann in March.
The initial prognosis was that Gosling would be sidelined for nine months, but Hughton is confident he will have a major role to play once he is fit.
He said: "We are delighted to have signed Dan. He's the right age and the profile he has is what makes it such an appealing capture for us.
"He's young but has Premier League experience, and he's someone who can continue to develop.
"We see him as a high-energy player and a player who can play from box-to-box, but he's also a young player with experience, so he won't be fazed by what is ahead of him."
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by Kev, Exeter
Monday, July 26 2010, 12:51PM
“I seem to remember a certain Francis Jeffers doing the same sort of thing to Everton, he jumped ship to Arsenal and never fulfilled his potential. Where is he now? These players really need to stop reading their own press and realise they're not Gods gift to football and at 20 yrs old still learning the game.”
by neil, england
Friday, July 23 2010, 11:11PM
“so what who care's if he has gone to a big club in newcastle he is nothing to do with PLYMOUTH ARGYLE FOOTBALL CLUB.”
by 42, cornwall
Friday, July 23 2010, 11:09PM
“b_mused
It would take two actions and one week
cancel sky sports subscripitions en masse
don't go to a football match.”
by b_mused, Saltash
Friday, July 23 2010, 10:56PM
“It is unlikely that DG would have engineered this move all by himself - surely an agent must be involved and if football wants to clean up its act the services of these parasites should be dispensed with. The greed in football may eventually kill it off.”
by 42, cornwall
Friday, July 23 2010, 10:24PM
“I support everton. If you go to any of the websites, they are a fabulous club who look after ex players in ways that other clubs don't. I hear that there was a "gentlemans agreement" with Gosling which I suppose was as good as a done dela with everton. Obviously not.
He has gone. the Grim Reapers first comment is the truest one. The chances are he is knackered and that newcastle have a dud”
by Adam, Mids
Friday, July 23 2010, 9:41PM
“Jon,
Every week this guy earns the amount of what most people would in a year. He earns plenty of money to live comfortably for the rest of his life in just a few years. Everton gave him his chance and he didn't repay them. Its been reported as a clerical error but I think Everton must have had an element of trust in Gosling after verbally agreeing a deal. When you look at it like that I think he hasn't repaid his transfer fee and let his previous club down when in a poor financial state.”
by Anon, Plymouth
Friday, July 23 2010, 5:19PM
“I mean Everton know the rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
by Anon, Plymouth
Friday, July 23 2010, 5:16PM
“I partially agree with both sides of the story. People say he is a money grabber but I am almost sure I read somewhere he was getting £15,000 a week at Newcastle which according to this report is exactly what Everton were thought to be offering him (please forgive me if I am wrong).
I agree that he has kind of cheated Argyle out of money because he knew what was written in his contract but for that side of it I think Everton have to take most of the blame in not offering him a new contract in writing the new the rules, however I dont blame him for moving to Newcastle he will probably play more games regularly (once fit) for Newcastle & in front of large crowds every week. A footballers career is short and if you have real ambitions to play at the highest level then you need to play regularly which I doubt if he would have if he stayed at Everton. Yes Everton gave him his break but football can be a selfish game at times and sometimes you have to think about whats best for you and not the club.
I say good luck to him and hopefully he can get fit and get in the England set up at some point in his career. It would be nice to see a Argyle product play for England.”
by Jon, Plymouth
Friday, July 23 2010, 2:07PM
“Peter, I think it's you that is the muppet my friend. Dan Gosling is professional footballer with a very vert short career ahead of him. A career that could be over in the blink of an eye at any time. If Everton did not follow correct procedure that's their problem, and Newcastle's gain. Argyle have missed out, but why should that have, at any time, ever have been Gosling's problem? If you were offered double the money to do your job, what would you do? If you're looking for money grabbing muppets, look no further than the current and previous Argyle boards!!”
by Jo, Berks
Friday, July 23 2010, 1:59PM
“Totally agree with the comments below. I supported him post Argyle, but he has proved to be disloyal to Everton who have given him his chance and supported him.The other side of this is of course that we have lost out on money which would have been due to us. He has been conniving and unprofessional in his behaviour. Yes Everton were stupid to not offer a proper contract if those are the rules, but for him to deliberately engineer this for his advantage says a lot about him. I am sure the influence of Joey Barton will turn him into a really lovely person!! I am bitter that he has kicked us and Everton both in the teeth, particularly us, as we really need every penny. Can we sue Everton for incompetence though? lol. I hope his career stumbles at Newcastle now, sorry.”