Everton F.C. have confirmed the signing of former Germany international midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger on a short-term deal, Sky Sports understands.
Hitzlsperger, 30, has been training with Everton at Finch Farm with the goal of earning a contract at Goodison Park after leaving German Bundesliga outfit VfL Wolfsburg at the end of last season.
The former Die DFB-Elf midfielder, also known as “Der Hammer” for his lethal left foot, bagged six goals in 52 international caps for his country from 2004-10.
“I’d be careful of using the word signing when you bring in someone for a couple of months. We wanted to have an extended look at him. He’s already been here for about a month,” revealed Everton boss David Moyes.
“He needed the training because he’s missed a lot of football. He’s been a great lad to have around the place and we’re more than happy to give him that opportunity.
“We’re not saying what he’s going to bring to us. He may come here and not play, we’re not sure yet, we just want a longer period to have a look at him, make sure that he’s fit and he can offer us something.”
Hitzlsperger is eligible to enter the Toffees squad for Sunday’s clash against bottom-of-the-table Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road, pending international clearance.
With that said, do not expect Hitzlsperger to play a pivotal role against QPR on Sunday. Perhaps Moyes will feel inclined to hand him a cameo appearance, but surely nothing more.
McFadden to Sunderland
In other news, former Everton forward James McFadden — who was released by the club at the end of last season — is on the verge of signing a short-term deal with Sunderland, according to the Black Cats’ manager Martin O’Neill, Sky Sports reports.
In all likelihood, McFadden will not be available to feature in Sunderland’s squad on Sunday, when the Black Cats are scheduled to host Alan Pardew and Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light.
English Premier League Betting Odds | Sunday, 21 October 2012
Sunderland v Newcastle United
Sunderland (13/8) v Newcastle United (19/10); Draw (23/10)
Total Goals | Over 2.5 (43/40) | Under 2.5 (8/11)
Goalscorers (Sunderland) | Steven Fletcher (6/4) | Louis Saha (7/4) | Fraizer Campbell (21/10)
Goalscorers (Newcastle United) | Demba Ba (15/8) | Papiss Cissé (15/8) | Shola Ameobi (9/4)
Queens Park Rangers v Everton
Queens Park Rangers (9/4) v Everton (6/5); Draw (12/5)
Total Goals | Over 2.5 (17/20) | Under 2.5 (19/20)
Goalscorers (Queens Park Rangers) | Bobby Zamora (15/8) | Djibril Cissé (15/8) | Adel Taarabt (11/4)
Goalscorers (Everton) | Nikica Jelavić (5/4) | Kevin Mirallas (7/4) | Victor Anichebe (11/5)
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