£6m Beattie can play in FA Cup for Everton

EVERTON have completed the signing of James Beattie and will be able play their new £6million record buy in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The Toffees will be one of the first major benefactors from a new FA rule brought in for this transfer window, which has abolished the seven days signing regulation for FA Cup ties.

Now clubs can use players as long as they were registered by noon on the day before the tie, similar to the rules for the Premiership.

Beattie’s medical results were cleared just hours before Everton faced Portsmouth last night, and he can now start at Plymouth on Saturday.

Beattie agreed terms on Sunday and was at Everton’s Bellefield training ground and a local hospital, the following day for his medical.

The results of scans, X-rays and blood tests could not be completed until yesterday afternoon, which delayed the official confirmation.

Beattie revealed the decision to join Everton was “very easy,” and that he was delighted with the move.

“The chairman and the manager said how much they wanted me and wanted me to be a part of an Everton team that is doing really well. I was impressed by what they had to say.

“The direction of the club and where David Moyes wants to go, and obviously the position that we are in at the minute, has made the decision very easy,” he said.

Moyes was thrilled to have signed a player he believes is one of the top strikers in the Premiership.

He said, “We are really pleased we’ve got him. We’ve kept up to date with his developments and we feel pleased he felt Everton is the right choice. His record stands up with all the strikers in the Premiership.”