EVERTON have agreed a deal to sign Bury's teenage defender Matty Foulds.

The Merseysiders announced a deal for the 17-year-old had been reached on Twitter with the youngster set to move to Goodison Park for an undisclosed fee in January.

The Toffeemen had been linked with the highly-rated defender for a number of weeks with the Daily Mail reporting last month that a deal had been done.

Foulds only signed professional forms earlier this year and has played just two first-team games for the Shakers.

Everton are understood to have faced competition for Fould's signature from Premier League rivals Tottenham and Aston Villa and Championship high-flyers Derby County.