Fee assessed for Luke Garbutt

evertonfc.com- A tribunal has ruled that Everton will pay an initial £600,000 for teenage defender Luke Garbutt.

Garbutt, 16, signed for the Toffees in July having exercised an option to leave Leeds United, where he had been a part of the League One side’s academy.

The Yorkshire club were due compensation following the transfer and both clubs agreed that a figure would be set by a tribunal of the Professional Football Negotiating and Consultative Committee (PFCC), which is made up of representatives from the Football League, Premier League, PFA and Football Association.

The hearing, which took place at the Premier League’s offices in London on Monday, declared that Everton should pay an initial £600,000, which could rise by an additional £750,000 depending on appearances.

There will be a further additional payment of £200,000 if the player makes a senior international appearance, while Leeds would also receive 20 per cent of any profit should Garbutt be sold on.

The Harrogate-born left-back is currently part of Everton’s Under-18 set-up and has England Under-17 honours as well as reserve team experience for the Blues this season.

Everton’s academy manager Ray Hall said: “This is very much a transfer for the future for Everton. It’s not an uncommon move to make – many Premier League clubs invest in young talent with a view to nurturing and developing them.

“We are all delighted to have Luke at the Club – he is an excellent prospect and he will be allowed to mature and learn his trade with our Academy staff and players.

“I know the manager will be keeping an eye on his progress, as he does with all our boys, and if he looks ready to make the next step up then he may get his chance. We have shown as a Club on a regular basis that we are prepared to give youngsters an opportunity at Everton.”

A statement from the PFCC explained: “In setting this compensation fee, the PFCC took into account the costs of training and development, the player’s age and playing record, the length of time he was registered with his former club, the terms offered by both clubs, the status of the two clubs, previous committee decisions and the interest shown by other clubs in acquiring the registration of the player.”

Breaking News: Everton complete £6.1m Heitinga signing

evertonfc.com- John Heitinga will become Everton’s fourth signing of the summer after a deal was finalised to bring the Dutch international to Goodison Park.

Everton and Atletico Madrid agreed a £6m transfer fee, which could rise to £7m, for the 25-year old defender late last week whilst personal terms were tied up over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Heitinga has signed a five year deal after passing a medical examination and brings experience of playing at the highest level to Merseyside when he arrives back at Everton after the international break.

Blues boss David Moyes told evertonfc.com he was delighted to have Heitinga on board.

“We are really pleased to have him with us,” said Moyes. “He is an experienced and versatile player who can hopefully fill a number of different positions in the team. I am sure he will be an exciting signing for us.”

Heitinga arrives in the Premier League as one of Holland’s most experienced defenders, racking up nearly 50 caps and occasionally captaining his country. He can play at both his preferred central-defensive role and at right-back, having fulfilled both positions successfully for his country.

A graduate of Ajax’s famous academy, he made his senior debut at 17 and went on to establish himself as a regular for the Amsterdam side, spending five years playing alongside Steven Pienaar before the South African left for Borussia Dortmund.

During his time in Holland, Heitinga won the Eredivisie twice and the KNVB Cup – the Dutch equivalent of the FA Cup – three times.

He was voted Holland’s player of the year in 2008 and went on to join Atletico from Ajax that summer for a fee of €10m.

Back from holiday… time to start reporting again

Anyone who has checked the last in the last week will have noticed a lack of content. I’ve been away on holiday, but Merseyside Troopers is back and ready to start covering Everton again, COYB!

Sigma Olomoc vs Everton: Match Preview

Goal.com- The Toffees can put their domestic worries aside as they head to the Czech Republic with a healthy four goal lead.

It’s been a fraught couple of weeks at Goodison Park and, after finally agreeing to sell Joleon Lescott, Everton will undoubtedly be glad to get back to footballing matters.

Two Premier League defeats mean David Moyes’ side are currently propping up the table, and the distraction of a Europa League tie may prove a welcome tonic.

Of course, the Toffees are in a formidable position going into the second leg of their play-off with Sigma Olomouc.

A 4-0 win at Goodison Park, courtesy of goals by Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell, means they are odds on to reach the next round.

Despite the huge advantage, however, Moyes will counsel caution from his men, who may be lacking in confidence following defeat to newly-promoted Burnley at the weekend.

Sigma also proved in the first leg that they do have the players to trouble the Toffees, and had a couple of early penalty shouts gone in their favour, it could have been a very different result indeed.

Tim Howard brought down Jakub Petr early on but escaped conceding a spot kick and the goalkeeper was also called into action shortly afterwards, saving a fierce shot from Michael Ordos.

All of this should serve as a warning to the Merseysiders that, despite their huge lead, this is not a tie that should be taken for granted.

FORM GUIDE

Last Five Results

Everton

Aug 23: Burnley 1-0 Everton
Aug 20: Everton 4-0 Sigma Olomouc
Aug 15: Everton 1-6 Arsenal
Aug 7: Everton 2-1 Malaga
Aug 4: Blackpool 2-1 Everton

Sigma Olomouc

Aug 23: FK Pibram 2-1 Sigma
Aug 20: Everton 4-0 Sigma
Aug 16 Sigma 1-1 Bohemians
Aug 9 Slovacko 2-0 Sigma
Aug 6 Sigma 3-0 Aberdeen

TEAM NEWS

Sigma Olomouc

Possible Starting XI: Drobisz, Dreksa, Kascak, Onofrej, Ordos, Rossi, Otepka, Hubnik, Skerle, Horava, Petr

Everton

New signing Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is ineligible but Yakubu is a welcome inclusion in the squad after a scoring return for the reserves earlier this week.

Possible Starting XI: Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Neville, Baines, Osman, Rodwell, Pienaar, Cahill, Fellaini, Saha

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sigma Olomouc

Striker Jakub Petr was a little unlucky not to win a penalty at Goodison after being felled by Tim Howard and he will be hoping to cause the Everton stopper problems again.

Everton

Louis Saha netted twice in the first leg and after missing a crucial penalty against Burnley last time out will be keen to make amends.

The Frenchmen will also be aware that Yakubu is nearing fitness, which could prove added motivation, if any were needed.

PREDICTION

An emphatic first leg win should be enough to see the Toffees through, although any lapses in concentration will surely be punished by the Czechs.

Having lost both opening league fixtures, a response is required and a professional performance should see them through.

Sigma Olomouc 1-1 Everton

Everton Sign Diniyar Bilyaletdinov From Lokomotiv Moscow

evertonfc.com- Everton have signed Russian international Diniyar Bilyaletdinov from Lokomotiv Moscow for an undisclosed fee.

Blues officials met with the player and his representatives in Hamburg on Monday (due to the fact he is permitted to enter Germany with a Russian passport without a visa) where the midfielder signed a five year contract that will keep him on Merseyside until 2014.

The 24-year-old, who is an established international with 28 caps, will now return to Russia to complete the formalities of a visa application to enter the UK.

Unfortunately for the Blues, the player will be ineligible for Thursday’s Europa League play-off 2nd 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 teammates for the first time ahead of the trip to Fulham the following weekend.

“We are delighted to have secured the services of Diniyar,” said Everton chief executive Robert Elstone.

“I know David Moyes has wanted to bring him to Goodison for some time and we look forward to welcoming him.”

Bilyaletdinov broke into Lokomotiv’s first team in 2004, quickly forging a reputation for his direct running style as well as displaying the leadership skills which would later be rewarded with the captain’s armband.

The tall left-footer helped Lokomotiv to only their second Russian title in his debut season, earning the League’s Young Player of the Year accolade in the process.

Bilyaletdinov is a regular for the Russian national team after making his debut aged 20. He featured in every game of their memorable run to the semi-finals of Euro 2008, where they lost to eventual winners Spain.

Before that he played in 10 of Russia’s 12 qualifying matches for the tournament, including two games against England.

Dinyar’s father, Rinat, was also a professional player with Lokomotiv Moscow and is now the club’s reserve-team coach.

The Yak is Back!

evertonfc.com- Yakubu is set to return to action for Everton’s reserves on Tuesday.

The Nigerian striker will line-up against Burnley’s second string after recovering from an Achilles injury suffered in November last year.

He has been gradually stepping up his rehabilitation all summer and is now ready for competitive action.

The Yak is joined in a strong Toffees side for the opening game of the campaign by the likes of Iain Turner, Dan Gosling and Jose Baxter, all of whom have senior experience.

New arrival Shkodran Mustafi will also feature, joining Moses Barnett, Shane Duffy and James McCarten in defence.

Lukas Jutkiewicz, James Wallace and Hope Akpan, reserve-team regulars from last term, are also included.

American duo Anton Peterlin and Cody Arnoux are also in the squad along with Kieran Agard, Adam Forshaw and teenage keeper Connor Roberts.

The game against the Clarets kicks off at 7pm on Tuesday at the Stobart Stadium, Widnes.

Everton Set To Sign Lokomotiv Moscow’s Diniyar Bilyaletdinov – Report

Goal.com- The Toffees are reportedly targeting Russian international midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov…

Everton are hoping to bring Lokomotiv Moscow ace Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to the club in a bid to improve their squad before the end of the current transfer window.

Manager David Moyes has been desperate to bolster his ranks throughout the summer, and with the imminent departure of Joleon Lescott to Manchester City, the need to strengthen has become especially significant.

The Toffees have begun the new Premier League season in disappointing fashion, having been demolished 6-1 by Arsenal on the opening weekend and then losing out 1-0 to newly promoted Burnley on Sunday.

With Everton expected to receive in the region of £22 million for Eastlands-bound Lescott, the Press Association is reporting that Russian international Bilyaletdinov is now Moyes’ primary target.

Reports have even claimed that a delegation associated with the Goodison Park club will fly to Hamburg in the next 24 hours to attempt to complete a deal for the Lokomotiv Moscow winger.

As Bilyaletdinov does not yet possess a UK visa, it is believed that Everton are keen to travel to Germany to allow the Russian, capped 28 times by his country, to complete a medical.

The Merseyside club acquired a work permit for Valencia’s Ever Banega on Friday, and with Moyes looking to add new faces to his side, the likes of Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross and Arsenal’s Philippe Senderos continue to be mooted as potential arrivals.