"I have had good years at Everton, it will always be in my heart," he said.
Before the deal between Pienaar's current club, Everton, and Tottenham was clinched yesterday, it had been speculated that the midfielder would go to Chelsea. He has also been linked to Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.
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| Steve Pienaar |
The Times of London reported that Tottenham won the race for Pienaar's signature after the English Premier League club agreed to a fee of about £2.5-million (about R27.3-million) with Everton.
The Bafana star held talks with Chelsea, whose £3-million offer was accepted on Friday - then rejected.
Tottenham have agreed to pay Pienaar £70000 a week. The deal could be partly funded by a sell-on clause in the contract of Darren Bent, their former forward, who seems set to leave Sunderland for Aston Villa.
Pienaar, 28, joined Everton on loan four years ago before he secured a permanent move from Borussia Dortmund. He can play wide or behind the strikers, but will have to fight for a starting place at Tottenham.
Tottenham have been offered Taye Taiwo, the Nigerian leftback, who is out of contract at Marseilles. Everton and Fenerbahce have shown interest in Taiwo.
Chelsea have resurrected their interest in David Luiz after failing to sign the Benfica defender last year. The 23-year-old was the subject of a rejected offer of more than £10-million in June. Benfica want about £26-million for the Brazilian player, who has attracted interest from Manchester City.
Chelsea have also been told that Alexis Sanchez, the Chile winger, will cost £21.5-million after Giampaolo Pozzo, the Udinese owner, confirmed their interest.
Gerard Houllier, the Aston Villa manager, is weighing up a bid for Christopher Samba, the Blackburn Rovers defender, as he looks for a centreback.
Arsenal have cooled their interest in Samba and have been considering a move for Philippe Mexes, the 28-year-old Roma defender who will be out of contract at the end of the season.
Birmingham City have pulled out of a deal for Robbie Keane after the club had agreed to a fee of £4-million, plus £2-million based on appearances, with Tottenham.
The club was reluctant to offer the Irish striker a four-year deal, an extra 18 months on his present contract. Keane would prefer to remain in London, which leaves only West Ham United, because Fulham have not shown much interest.
Birmingham remain hopeful of signing Kenny Miller after a £1-million fee was agreed with Glasgow Rangers for the Scotland forward, who has scored 23 times this season.
Source -Timeslive.co.za