Good signing by Everton today as they have confirmed the permanent return of Steven Pienaar from Tottenham Hotspur for £4.5million on a four-year deal.
Pienaar left Everton for Spurs 18 months ago for a reported £3million fee, but failed to settle in North London, starting only five Premier League matches for Tottenham.
He spent the second half of last season back at Everton where he looked like his old self, scoring four goals in 14 league games to the Toffees finish seventh. Some players are just more comfortable in certain environments, and Pienaar obviously prefers Merseyside to North London.
“We are keen [on Pienaar] and I hope in time we would be able to conclude that deal,” David Moyes said.
“I don’t know if the situation has changed [with Andre Villas-Boas coming in as new Spurs manager] but Steven has made it very clear he wants to come back here and my understanding is that hasn’t changed. My next job in the coming weeks is to get Steven Pienaar here as well.”
Pienaar made no secret of his desire to return to Merseyside and Tim Cahill’s move to Major League Soccer outfit New York Red Bulls paved the way for the 30-year-old’s comeback.
He told the club’s website:
“I am happy to be here. It took a few weeks to sort out but I am delighted to be back and excited to play for Everton.
“There was no doubt in my mind that I would be back here. At the end of the season I told the manager how I felt and I am happy now it is all done.”
This is actually a good deal for both clubs. Tottenham make a £1.5million profit on a player they did not want, and David Moyes gets one of his top summer targets for a relatively cheap price.
