Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon has joined Everton on loan for the rest of the season.
Hull were in talks to sign the 27-year-old, but he was understood to have made the choice over a host of clubs that also included Leicester City and Stoke.
Lennon’s motivation is to play regular first team football after failing to establish himself in Mauricio Pochettino’s first team this season.
According to Sky Sports, Spurs had made it known early in the window that they were prepared to sell him on a permanent deal.
However, a number of clubs have found it difficult to reach an agreement with Tottenham on that basis, and therefore Lennon has moved on a loan that does not have any further commitments. He will reassess his options in the summer.
“I’m really looking forward to seizing this opportunity at a club with such a history and with such great potential, too,” he told the Everton website.
“The manager wants to play exciting, attacking football and I’m determined to make a big contribution over the remaining games.”
Lennon, who has 21 caps for England, has scored 30 goals in all competitions in almost 10 years at White Hart Lane, having made more than 300 appearances since he signed from Leeds for just £1m in the summer of 2005.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez hopes the midfielder, who won the last of his 21 England caps two years ago, will inject some life into his side, who are 12th in the Premier League.
“We all know what Aaron will bring to our squad with his experience and know-how, his involvement with England in two World Cups and the landmarks he has set in the Premier League,” Martinez told Everton’s website.
“At 27, Aaron will be a really important asset to our squad and he will represent a real boost in terms of attacking options from now to the end of the season. His pace and trickery will fit in well at Goodison.”
