SPORTS> Soccer
Heitinga to Everton in late move
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-03 13:14

LONDON: Everton signed Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga from Atletico Madrid for 6 million pounds ($9.7 million) just before the transfer window shut on Tuesday.

Heitinga to Everton in late move
Atletico Madrid's John Heitinga (R) fights for the ball with Panathinaikos' Sebastian Leto during their Champions League soccer match at Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid August 25, 2009. [Agencies] 

Heitinga agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League club and the move was announced in the final hour before the 1600GMT deadline.

The 25-year-old follows French defender Sylvain Distin to Goodison Park as Toffees boss David Moyes strengthens his back-four after Joleon Lescott's move to Manchester City.

Atletico could eventually receive 7 million pounds ($11.3 million) for the Dutch international due to clauses in the terms of the deal.

On a relatively low-key transfer deadline day, Tottenham swooped for Portsmouth's Croatia midfielder, Niko Kranjcar.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp moved for Kranjcar, who cost a reported 2.5 million pounds ($4 million), after Croatian playmaker Luka Modric suffered a broken leg, which will keep him out for six weeks, against Birmingham on Saturday.

Related readings:
Heitinga to Everton in late move Wenger stays calm after Gunners' rout of Everton
Heitinga to Everton in late move Chelsea bt Everton 2-1
Heitinga to Everton in late move Everton knock Liverpool out of FA Cup with late winner
Heitinga to Everton in late move Ferguson ready for twists and turns after 1-0 win over Everton
Heitinga to Everton in late moveLate Everton equalizer stops Liverpool going top
Aston Villa spent 5 million pounds ($8.1 million) to sign Wales defender James Collins from West Ham and were hoping to sign Richard Dunne from Manchester City for 6 million pounds ($9.7 million), even though the deal wasn't confirmed by the deadline.

Collins put pen to paper on a four-year contract and could make his debut against local rivals Birmingham on Sept 13.

"It's been a mad 24 hours since coming up here but I'm delighted to have it all sorted. It's a fantastic setting. I just can't wait to get cracking now," Collins said. "Aston Villa are a massive club so, after coming here looking around the place it didn't take a lot of persuading on my part."

Portsmouth boss Paul Hart made a triple swoop for Watford centerback Mike Williamson, Manchester City defender Tal Ben Haim and Benfica midfielder Hassan Yebda.

Israel international Ben Haim agreed a four-year contract and his free transfer will be rubber-stamped once he has been given a work permit.

The 27-year-old joins a team which is bottom of the Premier League after four successive defeats but he is determined to help them climb out of the relegation zone. "It is a big challenge because after four games we have no points but I am ready for the challenge," Ben Haim said.

Hart could pair Ben Haim with Williamson, who cost 3 million pounds ($4.8 million) from Championship club Watford and agreed to a four-year contract.

AFP