8. Andrew Johnson

Position: Forward
Squad Number: 8
Date of Birth: 10-02-1981
Born: Bedford
Former Clubs: Birmingham City, Crystal Palace
Transfer fee: £8.6 million

Andrew Johnson became Everton's record signing in the summer of 2006 when he joined from Crystal Palace for £8.6m.

The Blues fought off interest from both Bolton and Wigan in order to secure the striker's services.

The diminutive striker's career began at Birmingham City, before he was sold to Crystal Palace in 2002 as the makeweight in a transfer deal for Clinton Morrison.

During his time at St Andrew's, Johnson was unfortunate enough to miss the deciding penalty in the 2001 Worthington Cup final shootout defeat to Liverpool.

However, it was at Selhurst Park, under the stewardship of Iain Dowie, where Johnson's career gathered real momentum. He finished the 2003-04 season as top scorer in the First Division with 32 goals, helping Palace to promotion to the Premiership in the process.

A season later, he was the top English goalscorer in the Premiership, netting an impressive 21 goals.

His goalscoring prowess was rewarded with his first England call-up, where he featured in a 0-0 draw against Holland in February 2005.

After Palace's relegation in May 2005, Johnson followed up his pledge to stay at Selhurst Park to help the club back into the Premiership.

After defeat in the play-offs to Watford, the scramble for his signature began in earnest.

In his first season for Everton, Johnson proved to be a consistent, if not prolific goalscorer, netting twelve.

This included a double strike in a memorable performance against Liverpool.

Johnson is currently recovering from an ankle operation.

His contract with the Blues will keep him at the club until 2011.