DAVID MOYES has further bolstered his Everton FC squad by completing the signing of Portugal under-21 international defensive midfielder Francisco Santos Da Silva Junior on a free transfer.
The 20-year-old, known as Francisco Junior, has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal, subject to receiving international clearance.
Junior, who will wear number 30, has already trained with his new team-mates after completing a medical and agreeing personal terms.
The player, born in Guinea-Bissau, is a product of Benfica’s Academy and spent a spell at Manchester City earlier this season.
As a free agent, Junior could be signed outside the transfer window and becomes the third permanent signing by Moyes since the New Year, following the arrivals of Darron Gibson from Manchester United and Nikica Jelavic from Rangers.
Steven Pienaar and Landon Donovan have also been recruited on short-term loans, with Donovan’s ending following Saturday’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Blackpool.
Meanwhile, Seamus Coleman has given Moyes another timely boost by making a goalscoring return for the reserves yesterday in their 6-3 victory over Newcastle United.
The Republic of Ireland international had been sidelined for more than a month since aggravating a thigh problem in the FA Cup win against Tamworth.
