Dean Windass was surprised to see Everton sign Andros Townsend, but reckons it was a no-brainer on a free transfer.

Following five up and down seasons with Crystal Palace, the 28-year-old made the switch to Merseyside earlier this month after his contract at Selhurst Park ran out.

Having failed to become a regular first-teamer at Tottenham, the winger finally found himself a home with Palace.

However, whilst Townsend was no stranger the spectacular, epitomised by his goal of the season effort against Manchester City back in December 2018, he often lacked consistency during his five-year stay in south London and wasn't always in Roy Hodgson's best team.

However, having performed impressively during his brief spell with Newcastle in the second half of the 2015-2016 campaign, Townsend has linked up with Rafael Benitez once again – with the Spaniard the Magpies manager during that period.

Everton have finished above Crystal Palace in all but one of the last eight seasons since their return to the Premier League, and Windass exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

"It's a great bit of business on a free, but it's a big surprise to me. He's not pulled up anything for a few seasons at Crystal Palace. But it's a new club, new manager, they give you that big lift, confidence.

"Players like Andros Townsend on a free transfer, you're not going to be short of clubs after you, because you don't become a bad player overnight."