Position: Goalkeeper Squad Number: 33 Former Clubs: FC Koln, Bayern Munich Date of Birth: 28/02/79 Transfer Fee: Loan
Stefan Wessels joins the blues on a year long contract from German side Cologne. The goalkeeper, who arrived on a free transfer, is Everton’s first ever German signing and will provide cover for number one choice Tim Howard.
The player was part of a hugely successful Bayern Munich side which won the Champions League, Intercontinental Cup and three Bundesliga titles during his time at the club. He was also part of the Cologne side which won the 2. Bundesliga title in 2005.
The 29-year-old started out at Bayern Munich as understudy for goalkeeping Giant Oliver Kahn, before leaving for Cologne in 2003 in pursuit of first team football. The player had made just a handful of appearances for Bayern due to the dominance of the outstanding international shot stopper, Kahn, forcing Wessels to look elsewhere.
Wessels stood out as a consistent player in a Cologne team constantly battling against relegation from the top tier and for promotion back to it. Cologne’s acquisition of Columbian keeper Faryd Al Mondragon at the beginning of the 2007-2008 season forced Wessels out of the squad, leaving the player looking for a new challenge.
Manager David Moyes’ capture of Wessels is his second summer signing from Germany’s Bundesliga, following midfielder Steven Pienaar’s loan move to Merseyside from Borussia Dortmund. The keeper signed for Everton following a trial in August 2006 and was given his favoured shirt number, 33. He says the prospect of playing at the highest level of English football is ‘exciting’.
After initial worries that Everton would make few signings during the close season prior to the 2007-2008 campaign, the unexpected signing of Wessels adds much needed depth to a small squad which could struggle under the pressure of a European campaign.
The keeper has figured for his country at several levels, including the Under-21 and B sides.
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