England defender Conor Coady moves to Goodison Park on season-long loan after seven seasons at Molineux, four of which as club captain; Wolves sign Portugal international Goncalo Guedes from Valencia on five-year deal
Tuesday 9 August 2022 10:26, UK
Everton have signed England international Conor Coady on a season-long loan from Wolves, who have captured Goncalo Guedes from Valencia on a five-year deal.
The Toffees have beaten West Ham to Coady's signature, with the deal bringing the 29-year-old's seven-season stay at Molineux - four of which as captain - to an end.
The move to Goodison Park presents Coady with regular first-team football and the opportunity to strengthen his claim to be included in England's squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Coady was dropped by Wolves manager Bruno Lage for Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Leeds - the first time he had been intentionally left out of a Wolves game shirt since April 2017 - and he remained an unused substitute at Elland Road.
"It's incredible to join Everton," Coady, who has been capped 10 times by England, told evertontv. "As soon as I heard the interest, from the manager but also the football club itself, I really wanted to be part of it straight away. I'm over the moon to join.
"I've grown up around the city, I know the football club, how big this club is and what it means to the supporters. I'm someone who was desperate to come here, to play for this club. I've got family and friends who are massive Evertonians.
"I'm here to give absolutely everything I've got for this football club. It's important I work as hard as I can to help my team-mates, help the club move forward and make people proud."
Everton manager Frank Lampard added: "We are delighted to bring a player of Conor's quality and vast experience to Everton, and he fits into how we want to play as a team.
"As well as being one of the Premier League's most reliable defenders and an England international, his leadership skills will be of huge benefit to us, too."
Everton's capture of Coady brings much-needed reinforcements to Goodison Park after the Toffees confirmed defender Ben Godfrey was facing a three-month lay-off after undergoing surgery on a fractured fibula.
An Everton statement read: "Ben Godfrey underwent successful surgery this morning on the fractured fibula he sustained during Saturday's Premier League opener against Chelsea at Goodison Park.
"The defender will now begin rehabilitation at Finch Farm under the care of the Club's medical team and is expected to be out for around three months."
Everton also provided an update on the fitness of defender Yerry Mina, who was also forced off against Chelsea with an ankle injury, the seriousness of which is yet to be known.
The statement continued: "Yerry Mina sustained an ankle ligament injury in the second half of Saturday's match and will see a specialist this week to discover the full extent of the problem before undergoing treatment at Finch Farm."
Wolves have completed the permanent signing of Goncalo Guedes from Valencia.
The 25-year-old Portugal international has signed a five-year deal at Molineux and becomes Wolves' fifth signing of the summer.
Guedes, capped 32 times at international level, worked with Wolves boss Bruno Lage at Benfica and further strengthens the influential Portuguese contingent at the club.
Guedes scored 13 times in his best La Liga campaign last season and left Valencia with 36 goals in 176 appearances.
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi told the club's official website: "We have been monitoring Goncalo Guedes for a long time and are very pleased to welcome him to Wolves.
"He has natural talent and has performed very well across Europe and for his country, and we think he is well suited to the Premier League.
"We are always looking to improve the squad with high quality, and have been patient to make sure we got the right player.
"Goncalo worked with Bruno at Benfica and played with many members of our squad previously, so we're confident he will settle quickly into the group here.
"Very few transfers are ever straightforward, and this was no exception, with a number of clubs trying to secure the player right up until the last minute.
"Now, we are delighted that Goncalo is a Wolves player and look forward to giving him a warm welcome at Molineux this Saturday."
Who will be on the move this summer before the transfer window closes at 11pm on September 1.
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