Everton have completed the signing of Russian international Diniyar Bilyaletdinov for £9million from Lokomotiv Moscow. The move depends on a work permit being granted, but that shouldn’t be a problem as he is a regular for his national side and has won 28 caps.
The midfielder appeared for his country at Euro 2008 and plays on the left side of midfield, but has been used as a left-back and also on the right wing by previous managers. He will be an ideal addition to the Everton squad, being pace and creativity to the team.
Everton chief executive Robert Elstone said: “We are delighted to have secured the services of Diniyar,”
“I know David Moyes has wanted to bring him to Goodison for some time and we look forward to welcoming him.”
A statement on the club website read: “The 24-year-old will now return to Russia to complete the formalities of a visa application to enter the UK.”
“The player will be ineligible for Thursday’s Europa League play-off second leg with Sigma Olomouc due to the Uefa registration deadline passing – and it remains unlikely that he will have arrived on Merseyside in time to prepare for the weekend’s Premier League clash with Wigan.”
“He is due in the UK in early September for Russia’s World Cup qualifier with Wales and the likelihood is that he will join up with his new team-mates for the first time ahead of the trip to Fulham the following weekend.”
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