Johnson to have Everton medical

Andrew Johnson trained with England today before being given leave to have a medical at Everton and complete an £8.5million move to Goodison Park.

The Crystal Palace striker, who had been with the England World Cup squad at Manchester's Lowry Hotel, revealed overnight that he had chosen Everton ahead of Bolton and Wigan.

Johnson was at Old Trafford this morning for an England training session ahead of the friendly international with Hungary tomorrow.

But he was then set to make the trip to Merseyside for the medical - the results will be known tomorrow - when the 25-year-old can expect to formally sign a four-year deal that will make him Everton's highest paid player on around £40,000 a week.

Everton hope to unveil Johnson on Wednesday before the player returns to the England squad's Manchester headquarters ahead of Saturday's Old Trafford friendly with Jamaica.

Despite Johnson having talks with Wigan and Bolton over the weekend, Everton were always convinced the striker wanted to join them.

Johnson is a close friend of Goodison star James Beattie and the pair are relishing forming a front-line partnership next season.

Once Everton matched the £8.5m accepted bids from Wigan and Bolton last week, the deal was a certainty with chairman Bill Kenwright negotiating a structure of payment with opposite number Simon Jordan that sees Palace get more than £5m up front.

Johnson, who scored 85 goals in 150 appearances for Palace, said: "After several days of careful consideration, I have decided that my footballing future lies at Goodison Park with Everton.

"I find the prospect of playing for one of the biggest names in British football impossible to resist and I am now just hopeful I can swiftly complete my medical so I can sign and commit myself to the club."

Johnson also claimed: "I believe Everton will give me the best opportunity to fulfil my twin ambitions of winning major honours and again representing England at senior level."  PA