/ 19 January 2011

Steven Pienaar seals Spurs switch

Steven Pienaar Seals Spurs Switch

South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar completed his £3-million transfer to Tottenham Hotspur from Everton on Tuesday.

Pienaar used micro-blogging website Twitter to reveal that he would join Tottenham after Everton accepted an improved offer from Harry Redknapp’s side and the deal was concluded just hours later.

The 28-year-old passed a medical at Tottenham’s training ground before signing a four-and-a-half-year contract.

“We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Everton and Steven Pienaar for the player’s transfer to the club,” a statement on Tottenham’s website confirmed.

Redknapp on Sunday admitted he feared interest from Chelsea would ruin his chances of signing the former Borussia Dortmund star.

Chelsea had a £3-million bid accepted over the weekend, but Pienaar preferred to join Spurs.

International teammate
He is Redknapp’s second January signing, with Pienaar’s international teammate, Bongani Khumalo, having already penned a pre-contract agreement.

Confirming his destination on his Twitter account, Pienaar said: “To end speculation I am going to Spurs. I’ve had brilliant years at Everton and it will always be a special place in my heart.

“I can also confirm I’ll be jersey number 40.”

Everton decided to sell Pienaar now rather than lose him on a free transfer when his contract expired at the end of the season.

Pienaar joined Everton on loan from Borussia Dortmund in 2007 and the move was made permanent the following year.

He became one of the club’s most influential figures and was named Player of the Year after an outstanding 2009/10 season. — AFP