Everton finalise Arteta signing

Arteta career statistics

Everton have completed the £2m signing of Mikel Arteta from Real Sociedad.

Midfielder Arteta, 22, impressed while on loan at Goodison Park last season and has signed a five-year contract.

"I'm delighted. I've been waiting for nearly two months. There's been so much speculation but my mind was always with Everton," he told the club's website.

Arteta is Everton's fourth signing this summer, following the arrival of Simon Davies, John Ruddy and Per Kroldrup.

"That is why I have been waiting and now I am so, so happy because this is what I wanted," former Rangers playmaker Arteta added on Friday.

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"I have signed for five years here and I want to help this team to grow, work very hard and do something very, very good next season."

The Spaniard initially joined Everton on loan in January 2005 and helped the club to fourth place in the Premiership and a Champions League berth.

He is now looking to build on those exploits heading into the new campaign under manager David Moyes.

"We have got a very long season ahead and a very important one," said Arteta.

"I want to start working hard for the team. We are going to Thailand on Sunday and I just want to settle in very quickly.

"Manchester United on the first day of the season is an extra motivation for us. The atmosphere is going to be unbelievable."