After nineteen years at Everton, Harry Tyrer appeared to finally come to the painful conclusion this week that he would have to leave his beloved Toffees in order to kick his senior career into gear.
Tyrer was made available by the Premier League outfit initially last summer, following the addition of Mark Travers from AFC Bournemouth.
And having been restricted to a couple of rare appearances for Everton’s reserve side in the first half of the campaign, Cardiff City came calling this week. After playing 42 matches on loan at Blackpool last season, Tyrer now joins the team at the top of League One.
On a permanent basis this time.
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Tyrer, who is closing in on 150 senior matches despite never playing a first-team game for the Toffees, joins Cardiff for an undisclosed fee on a contract until the summer of 2029.
Harry Tyrer lifts the lid on why he swapped Everton for Cardiff City
Speaking to the official Bluebirds website, the 24-year-old goalkeeper explained his reasoning behind why he chose Cardiff as the club to bring an end to a near-two decade long association with the Merseyside giants.
“I’m very pleased, it’s a massive club,” Tyrer said. I’m honoured to sign for Cardiff City and I can’t wait to get going.
“Brian [Barry-Murphy, the Cardiff manager] has been very positive. I’ve spoken to a few people behind the scenes and they’ve also spoken about how positive he is. He’s told me to come in and work hard. That’s what I’m all about.”
Tyrer, who also had loan spells at Chester and Chesterfield, highlights the Cardiff lifestyle as a key factor, while expressing his determination to challenge former West Ham United prospect Nathan Trott for the number one jersey.
“Nathan [Trott] has done very well and it’s about pushing him and getting the best out of each other. I’m very excited to work with Nathan and Matt [Turner]. It will be a great goalkeeper union here,” Tyrer adds.
“I came down a few nights ago and had a look around the city and it’s lovely. You see the stadium, it’s massive. I can’t wait to meet the fans and see them celebrating with us.”
Brian Barry-Murphy backs Tyrer to help Cardiff’s title charge
Tyrer did not arrive in time to be part of the matchday squad for Cardiff’s trip to League One promotion rivals Bradford City on Saturday lunchtime, however.
The aforementioned Barry-Murphy is just happy to have another shot-stopper in the building. Ethan Horvath is expected to leave after a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday in the first half of the campaign. Jak Alnwick, meanwhile, departed for third-tier rivals Huddersfield Town.
“Recently, we’ve had only two goalkeepers,” Barry-Murphy told reporters. “Our younger goalkeepers aren’t ready and those two will be going out on loan.
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“Our rules are different because we’re based in Wales. If we do lose one of our goalkeepers to injury then we can’t recruit an emergency goalkeeper outside the transfer windows.
“I think it’s very important that we strengthened that area of our team. [Tyrer will] provide real competition in that goalkeeping unit.
“We’re very pleased with the form of Nathan and Matt. We want to keep pushing forward and keep improving. The signing of Harry is very important for that.”
The likes of Ellis Simms and Alex Iwobi wished Tyrer luck as he announced his Everton departure on Instagram on Friday.
While Tyrer leaves, reporter Alan Nixon claimed back in December that Everton are interested in signing Lachlan Allen as a potential long-term replacement for Jordan Pickford. Western Sydney Wanderers starlet Allen is only 16 years of age, but also one of the most hotly-tipped prospects in Australian football.
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