10 Boyhood Everton Fans The Club Should Have Signed

10. David Nugent

It almost happened for David Nugent in the winter of 2009, when David Moyes almost gave a belated Christmas present in finally bringing him to the club he’d worshipped since he was a boy. With the striker in limbo at Fratton Park, having made just one appearance following a £6 million move from Preston, Moyes was poised to end his south-coast misery with a swoop for his signature. Nothing ever materialised however.

It was not the first time Everton had toyed with his heart, spending the summer of 2007 to-ing and fro-ing over whether to seal a deal for the England international. The Evertonian spent June, July and August on the edge of his seat, waiting for his big move, only to be left disappointed.

“Everyone knows that Everton is my favourite club but if that doesn’t happen then I’m not going to hang around waiting for them.” - David Nugent, June 2007.

Nugent is no world-beater and he returns to have another crack at the top-flight with Middlesbrough this time at the age of 31. But on his day, the former Preston hitman is a useful option to have in the squad, as Leicester City fans can bear testament to. After all, he netted 59 goals for them across the four seasons prior to their Premier League title success last season.

He may only have ever scored nine top-flight goals in his career, but as a more mature and rounded player, watch him have an effect on the Middlesbrough squad this season.