Belgian midfielder Maroune Fellaini signed for English Premier League club Everton from UEFA Cup opponents Standard Liege late on Monday for a record 18.5 million euros ($27.12 million) fee. "Maroune Fellaini has transferred to Everton FC. He has signed a five-year contract," Standard Liege said on its website (www.standardliege.be).
The 20-year-old attacking playmaker becomes Belgium's most expensive player, while the fee paid by Everton is also a record for the English club. He impressed his two recent Champions League appearances against Everton's Merseyside neighbours Liverpool.
However, Fellaini will not be eligible to play for Everton against his former club in the first round of the UEFA Cup in November, having already played for Liege in the Champions League last month. He appeared 84 times for Liege and scored 11 goals. He has been capped 10 times by Belgium and appeared at the Beijing Olympics last month, but was sent off in the opening game against Brazil.