{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Ronald Koeman praises World Cup final goalkeeper
By Harvey Byrne
Ronald Koeman has hailed new signing Maarten Stekelenburg as the perfect blend of quality and experience.
The Toffees boss has revealed that adding extra competition for the number one shirt was his first priority upon his arriveal and believes the 33-year-old still has his best years ahead.
The 2010 World Cup finalist goalkeeper joined from Fulham after spending the recently completed season on loan at Southampton where Koeman guided the club to a sixth place finish in the Premier League.
The goalkeeper made 25 appearances for the Hampshire based club conceding just 30 goals and keeping nine clean sheets.
However, the experienced goalkeeper was demoted to second choice once Fraser Forster returned from a long term injury.
Get Exclusive transfers news at Football Insider's YouTube TV channel
“I’m very pleased, you know we had Joel Robles as the goalkeeper and we need competition in that position. I know Maarten very well,” said the Dutch manager speaking to the Liverpool Echo.
“I took him to Southampton and he did a good job. He was second choice under Fraser Forster, but a really good professional and I’m very happy that he’s one of our first signings.
“First of all he brings quality which is very important and then he’s a goalkeeper with experience.
“Six summers ago he played in the final of the World Cup in South Africa in 2010. Goalkeepers have their best seasons from the age of 30. He’s 33 and still has a good future as a goalkeeper ahead of him and that’s very important.”
Koeman is still believed to be in the market for another goalkeeper this summer and had been linked with players such as Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel and Ajax’s Jasper Cillessen.
Long-serving goalkeeper Tim Howard departed from Goodison Park after 10 years at the club and returned to the USA with Colarado Rapids.
The Toffees have also added 18-year-old goalkeeper Chris Renshaw to their development squad from Oldham.
In other Everton news, Graziano Pelle wants to make a £13million move to China amid interest from the Toffees.