• Premier League

Everton complete Jelavic deal

January 31, 2012
Nikica Jelavic is believed to have cost £8 million © PA Photos
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Everton have confirmed the arrival of Croatia striker Nikica Jelavic on a four-and-a-half-year deal from Rangers.

Jelavic, 26, underwent a medical at Goodison Park on Tuesday before the deal was announced on the Toffees' official website during their Premier League clash with Manchester City.

The former Hadjuk Split and Rapid Vienna frontman has been one of Rangers' leading lights since arriving at Ibrox in 2010, scoring 36 goals in 55 games. The undisclosed fee is thought to be in the region of £8 million, with the Gers having rejected a £7 million offer from West Ham last week.

Rangers chairman Craig Whyte earlier defended the sale of the club's prized asset, saying: "One, the player wanted to leave and there is no point in trying to keep a player who no longer wants to be at Ibrox.

"Two, the club is simply not in a financial position to turn down offers for players which give the club a good return on its original investment ... The timing of Jelavic's departure so late in this window is far from ideal and efforts to improve the squad will continue until the transfer window closes."

Jelavic, Everton's third January signing after Darron Gibson and Landon Donovan, was paraded in front of the Goodison Park faithful on Tuesday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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