Wednesday Jan 31 2007 17:34
Everton have completed the loan signing of Manuel Fernandes subject to receiving international clearance for the Benfica midfielder.
The Toffees have been locked in protracted negotiations with representatives of the 20-year-old for the last week, after he passed a medical at the club's Bellefield training ground seven days ago.
Fernandes, who has two international caps for Portugal to his name, has now agreed a loan deal which will see him remain with Everton until the end of the season.
"All papers have been lodged and registered with the FA and Premier League and all we await is international clearance from the Portuguese FA," chief executive Keith Wyness told the club's official website.
Fernandes spent the first six months of the season on loan at Portsmouth and made 12 appearances for the South Coast side, before returning to Benfica last month.
The former Portugal youth international came through the ranks at Benfica and earned his first full cap for Luis Felipe Scolari's side in 2005.
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