Beckford free to leave after Leeds cancel his contract

JERMAINE BECKFORD has been released from the remaining month of his contract at Leeds United to pave the way for a transfer to Everton, a move that was first revealed by the Yorkshire Post in January.

The 26-year-old striker was due to remain at Elland Road until the end of June but is now free to complete his switch to Goodison Park.

Talks between Beckford's agent and the Premier League club have been on-going since the start of the year after David Moyes pin-pointed the striker as having the potential to make the step up.

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Following his early release by Leeds, he is now free to sign a reputed 20,000 a week four-year contract before heading off on holiday.

The agreement that has seen Beckford's contract ripped up will also prevent United having to pay the remaining few weeks of his contract, a saving of around 20,000.

Everton are refusing to comment on whether a deal is imminent, though it has been an open secret in football since the end of the season that the Merseysiders had beaten off late interest from Aston Villa and West Ham United.

Newcastle United were also interested after having had several bids turned down by Leeds in January, the striker having submitted a transfer request to manager Simon Grayson shortly before the end of last year.

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The impending move to Everton represents another significant step forward for a player who was released as a teenager by Chelsea. After drifting into the non-League game, the Londoner rose to prominence courtesy of his goalscoring exploits with Wealdstone.

Leeds beat a host of clubs to his signature in 2006 after then Crystal Palace manager Iain Dowie had had a 50,000 bid turned down.

Charlton Athletic had also shown interest along with Watford but Beckford opted for Elland Road in a transfer that eventually cost United 95,000.

It took a loan switch to Scunthorpe United in 2007 to kick-start his professional career, the striker returning to Leeds that summer to begin a scoring run that eventually yielded 94 goals in 175 appearances.

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Among the highlights of Beckford's time in West Yorkshire was January's winner against Manchester United in the FA Cup third round. He also netted the all-important promotion-clinching goal on the final day of the League One season as Bristol Rovers were beaten 2-1.

Talking about his vital strike against the Pirates, Beckford said: "I got to the changing rooms and put my head in my hands and the tears dripped down my face.

"It felt like such a weight had been lifted. It was what we had been searching for the past three years. I have enjoyed every single moment. The ups, the downs, the relegations, the play-off final, the play-off semis. I have had an amazing time here."