Everton have agreed a deal with Portsmouth for French defender Sylvain Distin.
Both the Toffees and Aston Villa had been interested in signing Distin, but after Villa agreed a fee with Manchester City for fellow centre-back Richard Dunne earlier on Thursday, the field was clear for Everton.
Distin is set to complete his medical with Everton later on Thursday evening and is due to sign a three-year contract straight afterwards.
Everton chief executive Robert Elstone confirmed Distin was on the verge of moving to Goodison Park.
“After Sylvain made it clear his preferred destination was Goodison, the chairman [Bill Kenwright] moved quickly to finalise the deal – and Sylvain is now on his way to Merseyside to undergo a medical,” Elstone told the club’s official website.
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