Everton sign up Steven Pienaar for £4.5m

Everton have confirmed the permanent return of Steven Pienaar from Tottenham for £4.5 million on a four-year deal.

The South Africa international spent the second half of last season on loan at Goodison Park after failing to impress under then-Spurs manager Harry Redknapp.

Tim Cahill’s move to Major League Soccer outfit the New York Red Bulls paved the way for Pienaar’s deal, and the 30-year-old said: “I am happy to be here. It took a few weeks to sort out, but I am delighted to be back and excited to play for Everton. There was no doubt in my mind that I would be back here.”