Everton snap up 18-year-old starlet from League One club
Everton have announced the signing of 20-year-old goalkeeper Fraser Barnsley from Oxford United on their official club website.
Oxford United have seen a whole host of players move onto bigger and better things after making names for themselves at the Kassam Stadium.
Players like Shandon Baptiste, Luke McNally, Rob Atkinson, Kemar Roofe and more have moved away in recent years before going on to play at higher levels after proving themselves with the Yellows.
Now though, one player yet to make his breakthrough has been snapped up by a top club
As announced on the Premier League club’s official website, Everton have signed goalkeeping prodigy Fraser Barnsley from Oxford United. The 18-year-old has caught the eye in the academy and has gained senior experience out on loan with Welling United and Evesham United and now links up with the Toffees’ U18s.
He joins on a two-year deal, initially keeping him onboard until the summer of 2025.
On the move
While all clubs hope that their best academy talents can come through their ranks and make a name for themselves in their first-team, that often isn’t the case lower down the leagues. Prized starlets like Barnsley are often tempted to clubs further up the ladder.
It goes to show the good work going in at the Oxford United academy though. They’ve done well to bring in and develop a promising goalkeeping talent in Barnsley and his move only serves as a good advert for their player development.
It isn’t said if a fee is included but one would assume that there is given that he was still under contract with the club. Those funds, regardless of size, can be invested back into the academy to help bring more top prodigies through the ranks at the Kassam.
