Ventura County Fusion coach backs Peterlin for Everton success

Ventura County Fusion coach Graham Smith rates new Everton signing Anton Peterlin among the best prospects in the USA.

Smith told BBC Radio Merseyside: "He was wanted by Seattle and San Jose but he didn't want to play in MLS, he wanted to come to Europe.

"We got Everton to have a look at him and it's worked."

Despite believing in Peterlin's talent, Smith believes he will take time to adapt to playing in England.

"A 22-year-old boy like Anton Peterlin, probably David Moyes is going to view him as he would a 18-year-old English or European boy," he said.

"His football age and his football development is somewhat behind Europeans and South Americans, who have come through the professional system."

"He's going to be on a fast track to catch up and get to the level where the Everton coaching staff can say 'hey he's ready now' but hopefully they've seen enough to believe he can do it."

And Smith believes Everton are about to make an astute signing.

"He's a highly intelligent boy in the football sense," he added. "He's neat and sharp with his passing and he breaks up moves from the opposition."