Manuel seals Toffees move
12 Jan 2008 - 15:21:42
Everton have completed the signing of Manuel Fernandes on loan from Spanish side Valencia for the rest of the season.
The Portugal international, who spent the second half of last term on loan at Goodison Park, has returned to Merseyside after an unhappy last six months in Spain.
The 21-year-old midfielder made just three appearances for Valencia in the first half of the La Liga season.
Fernandes had been expected to join the Toffees on a permanent basis last summer after scoring two goals in 11 appearances.
However, despite verbally agreeing a move to Goodison Park, he eventually opted to sign for Valencia at the 11th hour.
"He gives us another midfield player, which we've been short of," revealed Toffees boss David Moyes.
"Potentially he has an awful lot of things. Maybe what he needs is to be loved a little bit and given an opportunity.
"But I think he'll find Everton are better than when he left last year.
"He'll need to play well to get in the team. He's got a lot of competition because we've got a great group of players here and the team have been playing really well this season.
"Hopefully he can come in and add to that - but there's no guarantee for him that he will play."