Moyes wraps up Baines deal
07 Aug 2007 - 11:49:53
Everton boss David Moyes has completed the signing of Wigan Athletic defender Leighton Baines on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £6million.
The England Under-21 international is reported to have chosen to move to Goodison Park despite Sunderland and Newcastle United offering him a better financial package.
The 22-year-old told Everton's official website: "I'm very happy now it's all done and I'm looking forward to getting on with it.
"I think people knew this was the place I wanted to come and I'm glad now that it's all done.
"I'm a local lad and all my family support Everton so it's good to be here at last."
Baines is Moyes' third signing of the summer, following the purchases of Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar.
Toffees assistant manager, Alan Irvine, had said at the weekend: "Leighton has got real potential to play for his country. Anyone who saw him in the European Under-21s Championships would have been impressed with him.
"He is a good footballer, a nice passer of the ball, he has loads of energy and he is quick, so there are lots of reasons for wanting to sign a player like him."
Baines made 145 League appearances for the Latics after making his debut in October 2002.