John Heitinga has left Everton to join fellow Premier League side Fulham on a free transfer until the end of the season.
- By Michael Bell
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The Dutchman was desperate to leave Everton before the transfer window slams shut on Friday night, as he searches for first team football. A move to West Ham was rejected earlier in January, while a deal seemed agreed with Galatasaray only for the Turkish club to pull out at the last minute.
Now Fulham have snapped up the 30-year-old initially until the end of the season, ending a four and a half year spell at Goodison Park.
Heitinga started his career with Ajax, before moving on to Spain with Atletico Madrid in 2008 for a fee close to €10 million. The Dutchman only spent a season in Spain before moving to England with Everton.
After being named Everton’s player of the season in 2012, Heitinga lost his place in the first team, and has only made one Premier League appearance this season.
Speaking to Fulham’s official site, Heitinga said, “I’m really pleased to get the move completed and I’m looking forward to playing my first game. I think it’s a good move for myself and I’m looking forward to meeting my teammates. I’ve spoken already with René Meulensteen and I think it’s the right club for me.”
“This is a club with a great history and I always enjoyed playing at Craven Cottage, I really like it as a stadium. It’s not one of the biggest but it’s got something special.
“Of course I know Maarten Stekelenburg very well – we were players at Ajax together and we played many years in the national team together.
“I chose Fulham because the feeling was good and what was also important was the conversation between me and René. He knows exactly what he wants and I know exactly what I want. The main thing is to keep Fulham in the league and hopefully the boys will start with a win against Southampton.”
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