Luke Garbutt’s season-long loan from Everton is expected to be confirmed either tomorrow or Saturday, TWTD understands. As revealed earlier, the Blues are closing in on adding the 26-year-old to their squad for their 2019/20 League One campaign.
Once the deal is confirmed Garbutt will join up with his new team-mates in Germany and seems likely to make his first appearance in a Town shirt in one of the 45-minute games at the Interwetten Cup in Meppen on Sunday.
The Blues have been in the market for a left-back this summer with Jonas Knudsen having departed at the end of last season.
Myles Kenlock was the only other established left-sided full-back, although Tristan Nydam, primarily a central midfielder, can play that role and filled in during the second half at Paderborn on Saturday.
Garbutt joined Everton’s youth set-up from Leeds in 2009 but has made only eight starts - three in the Premier League - and four sub appearances - two in the top flight - for the Toffeemen.
However, the 5ft 10in tall Harrogate-born left-back has gained plenty of senior experience while out on loan at Cheltenham, Colchester, Fulham, Wigan and Oxford United, where he spent the whole of last season and latterly impressed in a left wing role, another position where the Blues are looking to add strength this summer.
Contracted to Everton until the summer of 2020, Garbutt has also won England caps at U16, U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 levels.