Everton FC

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• Manager:David Moyes

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Fellaini seals Toffees switch

02 Sep 2008 - 07:37:26

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Everton have broken their transfer record to sign Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini for an initial fee of £15million.

The Toffees sealed the deal just minutes before the transfer window closed on Monday, with the 20-year-old agreeing a five-year contract at Goodison Park.

Everton's previous record transfer was the £11.25million they paid Middlesbrough to sign Ayegbeni Yakubu last summer.

Fellaini made 84 appearances during two seasons in the first team at the current champions of Belgium.

He also featured for his country at the Beijing Olympics, but was sent off in the opening game against Brazil.

"This is fantastic news for everyone connected with the club," acting chief executive Robert Elstone told the club's official website.

"We have signed one of European football's most exciting prospects, who will have a huge part to play at Everton over the next five years.

"I spoke with (chairman) Bill Kenwright and (manager) David Moyes shortly after concluding the deal and they are delighted we have managed to secure his services.

"It came late on, like a lot of the big deals in the Premier League, but he's with us and we look forward to welcoming him to Goodison."