Tim Howard will join Colorado Rapids from Everton

Multiple media sources are reporting that goalkeeper Tim Howard will be leaving Everton after ten years to join the MLS team Colorado Rapids. The same sources confirmed that Rapids general manager Tim Hinchey was at Finch Farm last week to seal the deal with both the player and the club.

The rumors of the Rapids being interested in Howard were first heard during the January transfer window, but little came of it at the time. The goalkeeper's current contract at the Blues was extended previously until 2018, but Everton were reported to have said they were willing to let the player leave on a free transfer.

However, when the Rapids started getting interested, Everton changed their tune and asked for a fee. Per ESPN FC, that number agreed upon by both sides is reported to be between $600,000 and $750,000.

Some minor issues remain to be resolved - the ownership of the Rapids are yet to give their final okay to the deal.

It is expected that Howard will finish out the season at Goodison Park, possibly getting a testimonial as well should the Blues European challenge fizzle out.

The move will then happen in July this year when the MLS summer transfer window opens. His subsequent contract with the Rapids runs till 2019.

Howard's annual salary will be about $2m, a comedown from his original demands for $5m a year which had caused the talks to hit a snag. Even that revised number makes hi by far the highest earning goalie in MLS.

Read more on the transfer from the Rapids' blog on SB Nation, 'Burgundy Wave'.