Tuesday 2 September 2008, 01:52
by Scott McLeod @efc_scottmcleod
Everton have smashed the Club record transfer fee after completing the signing of Belgian international Marouane Fellaini from Uefa Cup opponents Standard Liege.
The deal was completed by Chairman Bill Kenwright and manager David Moyes in the hours leading up to Monday’s transfer deadline and was the culmination of hard work that started over the course of the weekend.
Club officials confirmed the deal in the early hours of Tuesday morning and Fellaini joins the Blues for an initial fee of 18.5 million euros (£15 million) that will rise throughout the deal, putting pen to paper on a five year deal at Goodison Park.
Acting Chief Executive Robert Elstone said: “This is fantastic news for everyone connected with the Club. We have signed one of European football’s most exciting prospects who will have a huge part to play at Everton over the next five years.
“I spoke with Bill Kenwright and David Moyes shortly after concluding the deal and they are delighted we have managed to secure his services. It came late on, like a lot of the big deals in the Premier League, but he’s with us and we look forward to welcoming him to Goodison.”
Still only 20, Fellaini made 84 appearances for the Belgian champions - Everton's forthcoming opponents in Round One of the Uefa Cup - scoring 11 times.
He impressed in his former club's narrow Champions League defeat to Liverpool last month, and was the subject of reported interest from Tottenham and Aston Villa.
Last year he made his debut for Belgium, and has now made 10 appearances, also featuring at the recent Beijing Olympics where he was sent off in the opening game for two yellow cards against Brazil.
In his homeland he has developed a reputation for his high quality midfield performances, and at well over six foot he will add a real physical presence to Moyes’ side.
Fellaini’s arrival at Everton was the third signing made by the Club on the final day of the transfer window, coming hours after Carlo Nash joined from Wigan Athletic which followed confirmation of Louis Saha’s move from Manchester United.
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tomas bilong
i am so delight when moyes sign fellaini, one of the bright star in european football. hope he can coupe the english football quickly.will be good partner with arteta.hope vagner will join in january. COYB!!!!
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Wednesday 3rd Sep 2008 00:36
Agree with tomas?
michael ruud
is rite a big beast of a midfield all we need is vagner love and we r in buisness
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Tuesday 2nd Sep 2008 23:31
Agree with michael?
steve mcdermott
watched this lad with my stepdad (a red) on wednesday an he really did look good had them reds worried the lad looks like he has fire in his belly which is just what our midfield needs hopefully he will develop into a total world class midfielder agree with john pollock hunt would have been a usefull tool as well still think we need a leader in the midfield (a proper hatchet man like reidy an parkinson used to do) but as everyone is saying come on dave we really dont care about the red hair PLEASE sign the contract we want you to stay without you we will be going backwards
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Tuesday 2nd Sep 2008 22:26
Agree with steve?
paul stanton
Just need davie moyes to sign his contract now and we are away,before the magpies start flying round him.Cmon moyesey mate dont let us down.Few more in january also please.COYB!!!!
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Tuesday 2nd Sep 2008 18:59
Agree with paul?
sutton sean
The lad looks very good it all seems that the club have done us proud yet again, we could see our best signing soon though!! So come on David put pen to paper and do it now PLEASE :0)
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Tuesday 2nd Sep 2008 17:38
Agree with sutton?
Jonathan Pollock
great signin im excited, its just a pity we didnt up r bid for stephen hunt i tink he wud of been a great signin
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Tuesday 2nd Sep 2008 17:21
Agree with Jonathan?
Terry Williams
Excellent signing, this young lad will add a new dimension to our midfield, a pity it was so late on though! Vagner Love will make a big difference when he arrives in January.
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Tuesday 2nd Sep 2008 15:30
Agree with Terry?
Michael Howard
Well done moyesey great signing hope he will sort out the physical problem in the midfield,now lets get MOUTINHO in the january window.COYB
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Tuesday 2nd Sep 2008 15:28
Agree with Michael?
Gerben Poels
what!!??! what are they doing. he is not worth the 18.5 million. maximum 6.
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Tuesday 2nd Sep 2008 15:20
Agree with Gerben?
Rich Dean
not bad, 5 signings out of the 6 or 7he wanted in the last week... must admitt tho am made up with this signing, n weve taken out the main threat from liege for when we play em COYB!! UEFA cup will b ours this season !!
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Tuesday 2nd Sep 2008 15:09
Agree with Rich?