Delight at Pienaar’s Everton return
There was one Bafana Bafana international in at Tottenham Hotspur and one out on Tuesday on a busy transfer deadline day for the club.
Steven Pienaar beat the close of the transfer window by minutes to re-sign on loan for Everton, effectively his third spell at the club after a previous loan and then a permanent move.
Spurs were at first reluctant to let the 29-year-old leave, but once Everton agreed to sell them striker Louis Saha, they softened their stance.
Pienaar scored 12 goals in 133 appearances for Everton between 2007 and 2011, arriving first on loan and then a permanent deal.
He left the club in January 2011 for Tottenham, but injuries and non-selection meant he made just 15 appearances for the team in 12 months.
The news of his re-signing was met with jubilation by Everton fans, as well as the club captain, Phil Neville, who tweeted last night: “If u asked me on jan 1st [to] pick anyone in the world to sign for us this window I would of said only 1 man and my prayers have been answered.”
Pienaar, who was on the bench for Spurs in their 3-1 win over Wigan Athletic last night, will go straight into contention for a starting place for Everton against the same opposition on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Bongani Khumalo has officially returned to Spurs after a failed loan spell at English Championship Reading.
Khumalo made just five appearances for the club, all in August, and has been released back to Spurs.
It does not necessarily mean he will remain there for the rest of the season though, as even though the transfer window has closed, Championship sides can still loan players from the Premiership between February 8 and March 26.