AFC Bournemouth’s Mark Travers set for medical at Everton..
GOALKEEPER Mark Travers is undergoing a medical ahead of a move to Everton from the Cherries, the Daily Echo understands.
The Irish keeper is set to head to Merseyside on a permanent deal for a reported fee of £4million plus add ons.
The move will bring to a close a nine-year stay in Bournemouth for Travers, after he joined the academy in July 2016.
He joined Dorset neighbours Weymouth on loan in the summer of 2017, scoring on his debut for the Terras, before returning to the Cherries.
The 26-year-old progressed through the ranks at the club before making his first team debut in the Premeir League aged 19 and 351 days – the 15th youngest goalkeeper to appear in the top flight of English football.
He kept a clean sheet on that day in May 2019, as the Cherries defeated Tottenham Hotspur 1-0, with Travers making several saves and earning the man of the match award.
Another loan followed, this time to Swindon Town in League One in the 2020/21 campaign, where Travers made eight appearances.
He returned to fight for his place in the Cherries side and became the club’s number one in the 2021/22 season in the Championship, playing 45 times in the league and conceding just 39 goals, keeping 20 clean sheets as Bournemouth were promoted.
The Irishman impressed that season – earning him the Daily Echo/Micky Cave player of the season award, as voted for by the readers.
Travers signed a new five-year contract at the end of the season, but fell back to number two in the pecking order at Cherries, with the arrival of Neto in the summer. The Brazilian made 28 appearances to Tavers’ 15 as the Cherries finished in 15th.
(Image: Richard Crease)
The following season saw Travers join Stoke City in the summer on loan, playing 14 times in all competitions for the Potters, before he was recalled to Bournemouth in October 2023 after Neto suffered an ankle injury.
The Republic of Ireland international stayed with the Cherries into the 24/25 season, as second choice behind Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga, although he impressed when called upon.
In particular, he stood out in the 1-1 draw at Villa Park against Aston Villa, keeping the Cherries in the game until the 76th minute of the game when Ross Barkley scored, although Evanilson sealed a dramatic point for the Cherries deep into stoppage time.
(Image: Richard Crease)
Travers also started the 2-1 victory over Manchester City, the Cherries’ first over the Citizens in their history, and played twice against Chelsea with Kepa unable to play against his parent club.
But the lack of minutes prompted Travers to seek a loan move, and he joined Middlesbrough in the Championship in January, playing 17 times for them.
With Djordje Petrovic set for a medical at the Cherries this afternoon, Travers looks set to depart.
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