Viktor Onopko is to join Everton on trial, with a view to signing the Russia captain on loan when the transfer window opens in January.
The 34-year-old central defender has been invited to train with Everton’s first team at their Bellefield training ground on Friday.
Manager David Moyes is interested in signing Onopko on loan until the end of the season, although his main priority is finding cover for first choice centre-back, Joseph Yobo, who will be representing Nigeria in January.
The 34-year-old former Spartak Moscow and Real Vallecano central defender is eager to play in the Premiership.
“I’ve hired an English agent to find me a club in England and he is keeping me posted on developments,” he said. “I’ve always been a huge admirer of the English game.
“I actually held talks with Bolton in the summer before moving back to Russia short-term. But now I’m a free agent and coming to England remains a major ambition.”