Blues boss Walter Smith twice tried to sign Weir for Rangers when the 28-year-old was at Falkirk but the deals fell through.

Now the Edinburgh club have accepted the knockdown fee rather than see the player, capped seven times by Scotland, leave for nothing in the summer when his contract ends.

Weir claims he chose Everton over Merseyside rivals Liverpool because of his admiration for Smith.

"Liverpool were definitely interested and I was linked with them, but Everton have come in and made me this offer and I'm more than happy to come here," he said.

"They were keen and that was good enough for me. Liverpool is all in the past. I have made my choice and joining Everton is fine by me."

Weir, who was part of Craig Brown's World Cup squad last summer, is set to be plunged straight into the Goodison clash with Middlesbrough on Wednesday.