Italian Alessandro Pistone was drafted in by Walter Smith - who first spotted him whilst at Internazionale - on a five-year deal at the end of June 2000 for a transfer fee of £3 million.

Originally brought to the Premiership by Newcastle manager Kenny Dalglish for £4.3 million in 1997, he showed his versatility almost straight away at St James' Park by operating in a variety of positions.

He enjoyed his most successful season with the Blues during the 2004/05 campaign, making the left-back berth his own as Everton secured a fourth place finish.

The defender was re-signed in the summer of 2005 on a two year deal after his previous contract expired but in only the second league game of the 2005/06 season the defender suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury which sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign.

A succession of further injuries meant Pistone made just a handful of appearances for the reserves in 2006/07 and it was little surprise when David Moyes confirmed his contract would not be renewed in the summer.

Following a trial at Watford, Belgian Premier League side Mons offered the defender a chance to revive his career in December 2007 but he turned out just four times for Les Dragons before calling it quits for good.