Simonsen confirms Toffees decision

The 24-year-old had been offered another 12 months by manager David Moyes, but he has now decided that it is time for him to move on after sinking to third in the pecking order behind Nigel Martyn and Richard Wright.

"I've just played the one first-team game and a handful of reserve-team games, but you've got to take every chance to play that's offered to you," he said.

"Hopefully, there are people out there watching.

"I've turned down a one-year extension to my contract.

"I feel that the time is right to move and I need to be out there playing first-team football.

"I feel as though I wouldn't be doing myself justice playing in the reserves and just sitting around on the bench the odd time - that's just the way it is.

"Every professional footballer wants to play and I'm no different.  I came here as a very young lad and I've gained a lot of useful experience, which will hopefully stand me in good stead in the future."

Toffees boss Moyes confirmed he wanted Simonsen to stay.

"I've said to Steve that if he would like to stay a year, I would sort it out for him, if he wanted to do that," said Moyes.

"But at the moment, I think he would rather go and ply his trade elsewhere. I've got no problem with that at all."

Moyes, meanwhile, is confident Wright is ready to compete with Martyn for the number one jersey after overcoming his long-standing knee complaint.

"Richard Wright believes the knee has been sorted out once and for all," he continued.

"Hopefully, he will now be ready for the competition we have. We are fortunate to have some good goalkeepers here and plenty of competition.

"Richard will fight it out now with Nigel Martyn for the jersey."