Free agent Nikita Haikin joins Bristol City after Lampard wanted to sign him for Everton

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Everton were interested in signing Nikita Haikin but the goalkeeper has now completed a move to Championship side Bristol City.

The Telegraph reported in October that Everton were considering a deal to sign Haikin on from Bodo/Glimt.

Haikin was born in Israel but started his career in Russia before heading to England with Chelsea, Portsmouth and Reading.

A real nomad in his early days, Haikin headed to Portugal, Spain, back to Russia, off to Israel and then to Norway with Bodo/Glimt.

That switch to Scandinavia worked wonders for Haikin, as he finally found a home and played regular first-team football for the first time in his career.

Haikin’s contract came to an end late in 2022 and he decided to leave Norway to try his luck elsewhere.

Everton seemingly fancied Haikin as competition for Jordan Pickford, especially on a free transfer.

Former Russia international goalkeeper Ruslan Nigmatullin told Soccer RU that move to the Premier League would be ‘extremely difficult’ and warned him that Premier League goalkeepers must be top-level.

As it turns out, Haikin won’t end up in the Premier League after all.

Everton target Nikita Haikin joins Bristol City

Championship side Bristol City have confirmed on their official website that they have snapped up Haikin on a free transfer.

The 27-year-old has penned a deal with the Robins until the end of the season and opened up on his long-standing goal of playing in England.

Haikin arrives as competition for Max O’Leary, which was much-needed after Daniel Bentley’s move to Wolverhampton Wanderers this week.

Frank Lampard appeared to be driving Everton’s interest in Haikin – and even wanted him at Chelsea – but he was sacked earlier this week.

A move to Goodison Park won’t be happening this month but maybe Haikin can end up in the Premier League

A six-month deal gives Haikin a chance to prove himself in the Championship and then attract interest from elsewhere, with some Premier League clubs surely keeping an eye on him.