Johnson breaks Everton record

English international striker Andrew Johnson has joined Everton FC for a club record fee of €12.5m from Crystal Palace FC, who were relegated from the Premiership at the end of 2004/05.

'Impossible to resist'
The 25-year-old has signed a four-year contract with the Liverpool-based club after passing medical tests at the club earlier today. "After several days of consideration, I have decided that my footballing future lies at Goodison Park," he said. "I find the prospect of playing for one of the biggest names in British football impossible to resist."

Impressive record
Bolton Wanderers FC and Wigan Athletic FC had both expressed an interest in the former Birmingham City FC striker after Palace failed to win promotion back to the Premiership at the first attempt, losing to eventual winners Watford FC in the play-offs. Johnson scored 73 league goals in four seasons at the club, and earned two caps for England. He is on England's standby list for the FIFA World Cup finals.