Everton seal £2m move for Steven Pienaar

Apr 23 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

STEVEN PIENAAR has finally ended the uncertainty surrounding his future by agreeing to join Everton on a permanent transfer.

The South African will sign a three-year deal that ties him to Goodison until July 2011.

Everton will pay the agreed fee of £2,050,000 to Borussia Dortmund for the midfielder, who has been on a season-long loan from the Bundesliga outfit.

There had been fears the deal was under threat with Everton manager David Moyes revealing earlier this month that negotiations over an agent’s fee were proving a stumbling block.

But a deal has now been finalised for the 26-year-old, who has become an integral part of the Everton midfield having made 35 appearances and scored two goals so far this season.

With his first business of the summer concluded, Moyes was in Moscow over the weekend to run the rule over a number of possible targets.

Reports in Russia have suggested the Goodison manager was watching CSKA Moscow’s Brazilian midfielder Dudu and highly-rated Zenit St Petersburg player Andrei Arshavin.

Dudu, 24, was appearing for CSKA against Lokomotiv Moscow on Sunday, while Russia captain Arshavin starred for Zenit in their 1-1 draw at Saturn the previous day.

Moyes has tracked playmaker Arshavin since the 26-year-old was the outstanding performer when Zenit lost 1-0 at Goodison in the UEFA Cup in December.

Arshavin, who was part of the Russia team that prevented England reaching the Euro 2008 finals, has also been watched by London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Meanwhile, Tim Cahill arrives in Australia this morning for surgery on the metatarsal problem that has restricted him to only 49 Everton appearances in the past two seasons.

The midfielder is expected go under the knife within the next 10 days before embarking on a 12-week rehabilitation program. Cahill, who will be accompanied by Everton physio Matthew Connery, will consult esteemed foot surgeon Kim Slater, the man who treated fellow Australian Harry Kewell last year.

Cahill will undergo much of his rehabilitation in his homeland under the supervision is Australian national team physio Phil Coles.

“The aim is to fix the problem for good,” said Cahill.

“I’ve missed a lot of football and I’m determined to do whatever it takes to prevent another recurrence. My aim is to be back fitter and stronger for next season, and I have no doubt I’ll achieve that.

“I’ve missed a lot of football in recent times and it’s frustrating.

“But I know I’ll get back to where I want to be,” he added.