HE might not have obtained the signatures he wanted in the transfer market this summer but when David Moyes put pen to paper at Finch Farm yesterday on a new five-year contract the Everton manager became the club’s biggest signing of the season.

For months now the Scot has insisted that he had always wanted to extend his stay at Goodison Park but with a frustrating search to add new faces to the squad in the close season followed by a disappointing start to the campaign, which has included exits at the first time of asking from both the Carling and UEFA Cups, Evertonians had been left wondering just when a new deal for their manager would actually be sealed.

Over the past month everyone was told that only a few minor details needed to be ironed out but after the 2-0 home derby defeat to Liverpool Moyes himself admitted that the long delays over getting the formalities completed could have been distracting his players on the pitch.

In a similar vein to the recruitment of playing staff, the ideal scenario would have seen this deal being rubber-stamped before pre-season training began but for whatever reason it has dragged on the fact that the matter has now been put to bed will finally allow everyone associated with the club to look forward.

Only Moyes himself might ever know how close he ever came to quitting Everton before Sir Bobby Robson supposedly talked him round but despite being six-and-a-half years into his Goodison Park tenure, his job remains far from complete.

Even if he had lost his job following the dismal end to the 2003-04 season which saw his side finish 17th with a meagre 39-point total, from the moment Moyes first set foot in Goodison Park as Everton manager, his ‘People’s Club’ comments ensured he would always have a certain cult status with fans of the blue persuasion on Merseyside.

Chairman Bill Kenwright admitted that such tub-thumping words were just what Evertonians needed at the time as the former Preston North End manager joined them at a low ebb.

So far stability has been the biggest factor Moyes has brought to Everton and his new deal should allow such an environment to continue for the team carry on progressing.