Manchester United: Everton capture midfielder Tom Cleverley on a five-year contract

Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has agreed to join Everton once his contract with the Red Devils expires on 1 July.

"Everton has agreed a deal to sign Tom Cleverley when his contract expires at Manchester United on July 1," a statement on the Toffees official website read.

The English midfielder will arrive at Goodison Park on a five-year contract, as he becomes Roberto Martinez's first signing of the summer transfer window.

Cleverley was highly regarded by Sir Alex Ferguson, but became a peripheral figure following his departure from the club, and the midfielder, who was recently called up to the England squad spent the entire 2014/15 campaign on loan at Aston Villa.

Tim Sherwood was keen on signing the midfielder permanently, but the United midfielder has decided to reunite with Martinez, who managed him during his loan spell at Wigan Athletic during the 2010/11 campaign.

The Spanish manager was delighted with the capture of the England international, who will challenge the likes of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy for a place in the Everton starting XI.

"We are extremely delighted to be welcoming Tom to Everton and I can think of many reasons as to why our fans will enjoy Tom representing our football club," Martinez said.

"The most important one is that he is a perfect fit for what we are trying to build here as he has so much experience of playing in the Premier League and he still has his best years just ahead of him."

"At the age of 25 and a player who is representing his country, Tom has experienced winning trophies and having big roles in demanding teams. Having worked with him previously, I know the type of character he is and I know that, with the Everton fans' support, we will get a very special footballer joining our already exciting team," the Spaniard added.