These are Everton’s top 3 January signings

Mikel Arteta

Arguably Everton’s best bit of January business was bringing in midfielder Mikel Arteta from Real Sociedad in 2005.

It was initially a loan deal, but his excellent displays in the midfield, a position vacated by Real Madrid-bound Thomas Gravesen, saw the Toffees sign him permanently in the summer of 2005.

And, from then on, Arteta was a mainstay in David Moyes’ team, playing a total of 209 games for Everton, scoring 34 goals.

The Spaniard was twice Player of the Season while at Goodison Park, and indeed the Players’ Player of the Season in 2005/06, and will certainly go down as one of their best January buys.