Everton Confirm 5-Year Deal for Tom Cleverley

Much like their city neighbors Liverpool, Everton have picked up a hardworking English international to bolster their central midfield for next season, with Tom Cleverley set to swap Manchester red for Mersey blue for the 2015/2016 season.

The youngster spent the 2014/2015 season on loan at Aston Villa and featured on a regular basis in the heart of the midfield. Despite his successful spell, though, he doesn't appear to have done enough to feature in Louis van Gaal's plans going forward, despite the fact that United don't currently have many options in the defensive midfield position. The Red Devils will let his contract run down at the end of this month and he'll be able to move just a bit down the road to Merseyside.

The midfielder is an astute pick-up for Roberto Martinez and the Toffees, who were in need of a suitable replacement for the aging Gareth Barry. At just 25, Cleverley still has his best years ahead of him, and should add more energy to the Everton midfield alongside James McCarthy, who could stand to benefit from the additional defensive cover Cleverley will provide for the back four in the form of more time getting into the attack.

Should Martinez choose to line up with three men in midfield, a trio of Cleverley, McCarthy and Ross Barkley is a formidable arrangement that should improve Everton's ability to control possession in the middle of the pitch, an area they struggled in last season. While he's not a flashy player (similar to James Milner), his industry could lead to improvements across the pitch for Everton, and could make picking players from Everton more than the gamble it was so often this season.

What are your thoughts? Will Cleverley immediately improve the side, or will he take some time to break into the starting eleven ahead of Barry (or Darron Gibson, if he's fit for more than a game at a time)? What will it mean for Everton's fantasy prospects?