Everton swoop for Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon

Everton have completed the signing of Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon on a three-year contract.

The 28-year-old returns to Goodison Park on a permanent deal after spending the second half of last season on loan.

Despite manager Roberto Martinez’s interest in the winger, the move was finalised after the deadline after Everton filed a deal sheet with the Premier League just before 6pm announcing their intention to sign the player, giving them a further two hours to complete the formalities.

“We are delighted to welcome Aaron back to Everton,” manager Roberto Martinez told evertonfc.com.

“We know we are getting a player our fans know inside-out.

“He had a major role in the second half of our season and we’re looking forward to Aaron kicking on and continuing to enjoy his football, as well as being the productive player we know he can be.

“He is well-respected in the dressing room, his experience in the Premier League is immense and he will immediately add to our squad and to the ambition we have as a club.”

Despite Lennon’s arrival, Everton’s transfer business has left fans distinctly underwhelmed.

The arrival earlier in the day of River Plate defender Ramiro Funes Mori filled one of the slots Martinez was targeting, although the fee of B#9.5million was B#4m more than was touted last week when the 24-year-old Argentinian came to England to finalise the move.

However, the Everton manager’s search for a player who could operate in the number 10 role proved fruitless and appears to have left the squad light in terms of options.

But Mori’s acquisition at least eases one problem for Martinez, having allowed Sylvain Distin and Antolin Alcaraz to leave at the end of last season.