Everton have been linked with a move for goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
It has been reported that the Toffees are one of a few clubs to show interest in the 35-year-old, who has just become a free agent after running down his contract at Leeds United.
Everton are looking to strengthen in multiple positions this summer.
But the goalkeeper position has not really been spoken about very much, and so the links to Darlow are something of a surprise.
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Everton brought in Mark Travers and Tom King last summer, but neither has come close to making themselves regulars over Jordan Pickford.
King hasn’t actually even made his debut for Everton yet.
The link to Darlow does suggest that one of those could now leave. And actually, it was reported in May that Travers could seek to depart.
It remains to be seen if Everton can get a deal over the line, but here’s all you need to know about Darlow.
Who is Karl Darlow?
Karl Darlow was born in Northampton on 8 October 1990, making him 35 years of age.
He is a Wales international, being the grandson of former Welsh international forward Ken Leek, who was included in his country’s 1958 World Cup squad.
Darlow started out in Aston Villa’s academy before then joining Nottingham Forest after being released.
And that was his route into senior football, with Darlow making his Forest debut on the last day of the 2010/11 season against Crystal Palace. He kept a clean sheet, which saw Forest secure a play-off spot.
Over the next couple of years, Darlow had loan spells at Newport County and Walsall, which helped develop his game.
In 2014, Darlow transferred to Newcastle United as part of a double deal with Jamaal Lascelles, costing the club around £7 million.
That was the move that raised his profile the most, making 100 appearances and keeping 25 clean sheets for the Magpies.
After almost 10 years there, he left to join Leeds in 2023, after a couple more loan spells with his old club Forest and Hull City.
Of course, being at Leeds has meant that Darlow has been known to Everton CEO Angus Kinnear, who had the same role at Elland Road from 2017 to 2025.
What is Karl Darlow like as a goalkeeper?
It has been noted often in the past that Darlow is just a solid, if unspectacular, goalkeeper.
He is a very good shot-stopper, but tends to stay on his line a lot and is not particularly known for ball-playing or distribution.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke has previously praised Darlow’s composure, saying: “How Karl kept his nerve and his calm, how he performed at the end of last season during the crunch-time period, I think that was outstanding. We all trust Karl. He has all our confidence.
“He’s an experienced goalkeeper, he knows the Premier League inside and out, and he’s not a guy that cracks under pressure.”
Ultimately, Darlow has dislodged the number one goalkeeper in each of the last two seasons at Leeds, who were keen to keep hold of him.
So potentially, this could be a decent move by Everton.
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