Toffees boss Roberto Martinez has worked miracles off the pitch to sign winger Aiden McGeady from Russian side Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee. The winger’s commitment was confirmed at the match between Everton and Norwich City on Saturday.presented at half-time in front of the packed Goodison Park.
Roberto had a huge interest in the winger during the summer window, but no approach was made and instead young Spanish winger Gerard Deulofeu was loaned out for a season. This signing came after the young Spaniard tore part of his thighs; it forced him to stay on the sidelines for the next month.
Martinez is now feeling relieved after Aiden signed without knowing he would sign him this summer. There was a lot of speculation that McGeady would not move to Goodison until the next summer window, as his contract with Spartak Moscow would have expired during this time.
But thanks for the excellent transfer budget after the departures of Victor Anichebe and Marouane Fellaini; both are coming to West Brom and Manchester United for a transfer fee higher than the indicated price and excellent support from the board; the signing could be completed in this window and Martínez can strengthen his team for his last push for a Champions League place in the second half of the season.
McGeady won four Scottish Premier League titles, two Scottish league cups and two Scottish Cups in his six years at Celtic. During his tenure, he was named Scottish player of the Year in 2008, before moving to Russia two years after for Spartak Moscow for million. During his four years at Spartak, he played 72 matches and scored 11 goals.
The move has now been joined by fellow Irishmen Seamus Coleman and midfielders James McCarthy and Darron Gibson.
As well as signing the 27-year-old winger, Everton also managed a comfortable 2-0 win over strugglers Norwich City, the goals coming from Gareth Barry and Kevin Mirallas. This kept them in the running for a Champions League place, a long-term goal for the Toffees after failing to finish fourth for 9 seasons.
Martinez on the signing of Aiden McGeady: “All praise to the Chairman and the Board”
He added: We talked to Aiden about the upcoming season and agreed that he would come at the end of the season. I think the money we will spend will be well spent. Within a few hours he has settled in and we are happy to have Aiden here.”
Martinez might want to look at more striking options, while Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic should move to Steve Bruce’s Hull City after Jelavic was given permission to speak to the Tigers. Martinez saw this as a perfect opportunity for the Croatian striker to win a couple of matches and have an additional chance to keep a World Cup spot for Croatia in 2014. It comes after on-loan Belgian Romelu Lukaku has cemented his place in the team, having scored 8 goals since arriving from Chelsea on the last market day.
This means that Aiden McGeady for Everton’s selection match against Pepe Mel’s West Bromwich Albion on Monday, the twentieth Everton will try to get another victory and keep the hope of a fourth place.
