Published: 25 August, 2009, 10:54
Edited: 14 September, 2009, 11:16
English Premier League side Everton, who expressed interest in several Russian internationals, have finally achieved their goal by signing Dinyar Bilyaletdinov from Lokomotiv Moscow.
The Muscovites let their captain go because the player, who did a lot for Loko, expressed a strong desire to test his skills at a new level.
The transfer fee is undisclosed, but, according to reports in the British media, it is worth £10 million.
"We are delighted to have secured the services of Diniyar," Everton chief executive Robert Elstone told the club's official website. "I know [manager] David Moyes has wanted to bring him to Goodison for some time, and we look forward to welcoming him".
Bilyaletdinov, who has 24 caps for the Russian national side, was an essential part of the Guus Hiddink squad during their Euro 2008 success. The 24-year-old has failed to make it into the starting lineup since then, but the talented midfielder has been recruited into the team again for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Wales.
Everton finished 5th last year. The team had a dreadful start in the English Premier League this season, getting thrashed by Arsenal 6-1 at home and losing to newly-promoted Burnley on the road.
The Toffees’ coach, David Moyes, has recently been seeking a boost from Russia. Spartak Moscow’s Vladimir Bystrov was rumored to be linked with the move to Everton, however, both teams’ managements later denied the reports.
Earlier the Liverpool side expressed interest in signing a few footballers playing in Russia, but failed to sign Pavel Pogrebnyak from Zenit or Vagner Love from CSKA Moscow.
Bilyaletdinov has become the fourth Russian in England's top flight sides, joining Arsenal’s Andrey Arshavin, Yury Zhirkov from Chelsea and Tottenham ‘s Roman Pavlyuchenko.