Moyes happy with Pienaar deal

David Moyes has admitted bringing Steven Pienaar back to Everton could have destroyed his reputation as a bargain hunter.



The Toffees boss re-signed the South African from Tottenham for £4.5million following a successful loan spell - just 18 months after selling him to the north London club for £3million.



Moyes has made huge profits in the past by selling some his prized assets such as the sale of defender Joleon Lescott to Manchester City, which earned Goodison Park club a mammoth £17million.



But the Scot has revealed his biggest gamble was bringing 30-year-old playmaker Pienaar back to Merseyside.



He told The Sun: "At Everton we have always tried to do good deals and have always tried to buy at the right age and the right price.



"We had to buy Steven back for more than we sold him for. That didn't sit well with me because I didn't particularly see it as a good business deal.



"But I knew on the football side of things he would make us better. It's been a great deal for us and we're delighted to have him."



Moyes added: "Steven wanted to come back - that was the biggest thing.



"He wanted to come back more than anything and because of that it swayed me to do the deal."

Everton confirm Pienaar deal

Everton have confirmed the permanent return of Steven Pienaar from Tottenham for £4.5million on a four-year deal.



The South Africa international midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at Goodison Park after failing to impress under then-Spurs boss Harry Redknapp.



He only signed for Tottenham last year for a reported £3million fee after spending four years, the first of which was on loan from Borussia Dortmund, with Everton.



Opportunities were limited for Pienaar at Tottenham, where he started just five Barclays Premier League matches.



But he excelled on his return to Everton, scoring four goals in 14 league games to help them finish seventh, with boss David Moyes stating at the beginning of the month one of his aims for the summer was to re-sign Pienaar.



Pienaar made no secret of his desire to return to Merseyside and Tim Cahill's move to Major League Soccer outfit the New York Red Bulls paved the way for the 30-year-old's comeback.



"I am happy to be here. It took a few weeks to sort out but I am delighted to be back and excited to play for Everton," he told evertontv. "There was no doubt in my mind that I would be back here. At the end of the season I told the manager how I felt and I am happy now it is all done."

Pienaar charged with assault

Steven Pienaar has been charged with assault for his alleged involvement in a night club brawl in his native South Africa.



The 30-year-old midfielder, who finished last season on loan at Everton, was arrested by police after he handed himself in following the incident at the Icon club in Johannesburg.



Pienaar appeared before Randburg Magistrates Court last Wednesday, facing charges of assault against Thabang Mnisi, the son of South Africa's deputy minister of public service and administration, Ayanda Dlodlo.



Pienaar and a group of friends allegedly attacked Mnisi on June 17, punching and kicking him in the head several times following a row over the usage of the toilet in the club's VIP area.



Pienaar signed for Everton in 2007 and enjoyed four successful years on Merseyside before joining Tottenham in January 2011.



However, the South African struggled to cement a place at White Hart Lane and returned to Goodison Park on early this year.



A spokesman for Tottenham said that they were aware of the story but would not make any comment until they 'had the chance to speak to the player and his representatives'.



The midfielder is no stranger to brushes with the authorities after being convicted of drink driving in 2010 and banned for 12 months.



The 30-year-old was also arrested two years earlier after allegedly assaulting a woman in a Liverpool flat, although the charges were later dropped.



Pienaar is currently on holiday in the Caribbean, but must reappear before the court on July 4.