Courtesy of Cal Poly Sports Information
Everton Football Club of the Barclays Premier League and former Cal Poly defensive midfielder Anton Peterlin will jointly end months of speculation when the transfer window opens Wednesday morning with the official announcement that the 22-year-old San Francisco native has signed with the Liverpool-based side for an undisclosed fee.
Peterlin, who joins Everton from the Ventura County Fusion of the fourth division Professional Developmental League, departed for Liverpool late Tuesday to begin training with the club July 6.
"I've worked hard to get to this point, but there’s still a lot more to do. I’m excited to head over and try to break into the first team," said Peterlin, who appeared in each of Cal Poly’s 61 matches since transferring from UC Santa Cruz following his 2005 freshman season. "I want to thank both (Cal Poly head coach Paul Holocher) for being not only a great coach, but a great friend, and the Cal Poly program, which helped me get noticed so I had the chance to play at a higher level."
After helping Cal Poly to the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 13 seasons and completing his collegiate eligibility in November, Peterlin enjoyed spring trials with both the Chicago Fire and San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer. On the recommendation of Fusion manager Graham Smith, however, Peterlin was invited to a 10-day March training session with Everton. Peterlin, who qualifies for an EU passport because of his family's Danish heritage, made a sufficient enough impression upon Everton manager David Moyes and Toffees management during the trail to begin negotiations.
"Anton is one of those players that, as a coach, you simply love because he rolls up his sleeves, works hard and enjoys the game. He embodies what every good student of the game knows, the fact that he is good player and can always improve," Holocher said. "Anton is a great story for any young player in the fact that hard work and passion for the game can lead to great opportunities. We are all excited that a Mustang has been signed by one of the top professional clubs in the world and we will enjoy being part of his journey.”
Peterlin, named to both the All-Big West Conference first team and NSCAA All-Far West Region team as a senior in 2008, may have an immediate opportunity to compete for a first team shirt. Everton opens its preseason schedule July 12 when the club contests its first match on African soil against either Ashanti Kotoko or Hearts of Oak, both of Ghana. Everton returns to England six days later for a match at League Two (fourth tier) side Rochdale AFC.
Everton faces famed Argentinian club River Plate in Edmonton July 25 before competing against the MLS All-Stars at Real Salt Lake’s Rio Tinto Stadium July 30. The Toffees open the Barclays Premier League campaign at home to Arsenal Aug. 15.
Otherwise, Everton’s reserve side, Blues XI, begins its schedule at Welsh club Airbus UK July 18.
Everton, which finished as runners-up to Chelsea in May’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, qualified for the 2009-10 Europa League after finishing fifth last season in the Barclays Premier League table. Founded in 1878, Everton holds the English record for having played continuously in the top flight for 107 seasons. The lone other American at Everton is United States Men's National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard.