Sheffield star Jagielka joins Toffees

Everton have tonight completed the £4m signing of Phil Jagielka from Sheffield United.

The utility defender/midfielder, who was released as a schoolboy by Everton 10 years ago, has signed a five-year contract and will join his new team-mates at their St Andrews training camp in Scotland tomorrow.

Everton have also given Scottish international Gary Naysmith permission to talk to the Bramall Lane club, and it is expected that the defender will join the Yorkshire club tomorrow.

Jagielka’s move has come 24 hours after the Blades lost their arbitration panel challenge to the Premier League’s decision to only fine West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair rather than deduct points.

The Premier League revealed tonight that the Blades have launched an appeal to the High Court but that has not stopped the deal with Jagielka, who had a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave for £4m if the Blades were relegated to the Championship.

Middlesbrough, Wigan and Bolton were all interested in signing Jagielka, but the player made it clear from the start that Everton were his first choice, and the deal has only been held up while Sheffield United have been engaged in their legal battle with the Premier League.

Jagielka was on Everton’s books as a schoolboy, and, after being rejected, he has been with Sheffield United ever since. He made 287 appearances for the Bramall Lane club, scoring 22 goals.

Jagielka made his England B debut as a right-back – he was a substitute for Everton skipper Phil Neville in the friendly against Albania in May – he can also operate in the centre of defence, as well as in midfield, and such versatility will be welcomed by boss David Moyes.

Jagielka is Everton’s first summer signing, but now Moyes will step up the chase for Manchester United striker Alan Smith and West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas.