Everton FC: So long Aiden McGeady

Three and a half years after arriving at Everton, winger Aiden McGeady is now set to move to Sunderland on a permanent deal.

Everton fans were understandably excited when Aiden McGeady arrived from Spartak Moscow at the start of 2014. They were getting a player who was renowned for his ball skills, could use either foot effectively and was experienced at the international level.

However, things did not go as anticipated and now McGeady is set to leave. As reported by BBC Sport‘s Simon Stone, the winger will join Sunderland on a permanent deal.

In the process, the 31-year old will be reunited with Simon Grayson, Sunderland’s recently appointed manager. Grayson was previously in charge of Preston North End, where McGeady spent last season on loan, contributing eight goals along with nine assists in 34 games and being named their player of the year.

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McGeady just never really settled at Everton. After playing regularly during his first year with the club, a knee injury saw a change in his fortunes.

Replaced in the lineup by Aaron Lennon, the former Celtic player hardly figured after he recovered from his injury. Virtually frozen out of the first team at the start of the 2015/16 season, he went on loan to Sheffield Wednesday after Christmas, for the remainder of the campaign.

As reported by Richard Mennear of the Sunderland Echo, the move should be officially confirmed within the next 24 hours. Sunderland are believed to be paying around £2 million, after beating Preston and Middlesbrough to McGeady’s signature.

There is no denying the Republic of Ireland international is a good player. Unfortunately for everyone concerned, the move to Everton just didn’t work out.

Interestingly, McGeady isn’t the only player making the move from the blue side of Merseyside to Sunderland. As reported by Mennear, defenders Tyias Browning and Brendan Galloway are joining the Black Cats on season-long loan deals, after undergoing medicals on Tuesday.

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What’s your perspective on McGeady’s departure? Do you see it as good business by Everton, or do you believe he should have been given more opportunities to prove himself at the club? Share your thoughts in the comments section.