JOSEPH YOBO is today expected to join Fenerbahce on a season-long loan – as Steven Pienaar expressed his relief that speculation has ended over his Everton future.

On a quiet transfer deadline day for the Goodison outfit, the only major business was the imminent departure of Yobo to Turkey.

Everton have agreed a package that gives Fenerbahce the option to make the transfer permanent when the loan ends next summer for a player who remains under contract at Goodison until 2014.

The deal is dependent on Yobo, who flew to Turkey last night, passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

The 29-year-old was David Moyes’s first signing as Everton manager, arriving on a season-long loan in 2002 before the move was made permanent, and has made more than 250 appearances for the club while also enjoying spells as captain.

But Yobo has fallen behind Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin and John Heitinga in the pecking order at the heart of defence, and has made only three starts this calendar year while not being involved at all since returning from skippering Nigeria at the World Cup.

While Yobo is poised to depart, his international colleague Yakubu has stayed put after West Ham United refused to increase an offer for the forward that was dismissed as derisory by Everton earlier in the month.