Everton boss Roberto Martinez believes Luke Garbutt can be a match-winner in future and anticipates he will return from his season-long loan at Fulham a much better player.

It was announced on Saturday that the promising 22-year-old had agreed to move to the Championship side for the duration of the 2015/16 campaign, just weeks after signing a four-year contract with the Toffees.

Plenty of clubs had been interested in taking Garbutt on loan for the season after he was made available by Everton, with Premier League new boys Bournemouth one side believed to be keen on his services.

As it is Fulham have landed themselves a player who Martinez claims will be a great asset to them this term after being impressed by the England Under-21 international’s performances last season and in the build-up to the forthcoming campaign.

The Spaniard believes a year in the Championship will serve Garbutt well as he looks for him to become Everton’s long-term left-back in the future.

“We all very excited about this agreement,” Martinez told evertontv.
“Luke Garbutt had a real impressive impact last season with his 10 games with the first team at the highest level – both in the Europa League and in the Premier League – and now he is in the phase of his career where he needs to play minutes.

“We are blessed with the quality we have at left-back and Luke Garbutt is in a key moment of his development.

“Luke is ready. He will be a match-winner, he will be an important player in this project and we are looking forward to seeing him benefit from the experience and get him back to Finch Farm in 10 months time stronger, wiser and ready for a massive impact on our football club.”

Everton start their Premier League campaign on August 8 when they welcome new boys Watford to Goodison Park, a game they are priced at 1.75 to win. The Hornets are available at 5.00 to pick up three points, while the draw is on offer at 3.75.