Everton finalised the strengthening of their defence with the signing of Atletico Madrid's Johnny Heitinga for £6 million (Dh36m) just minutes before the summer transfer window closed. The Holland international, whose fee could eventually rise to £7m, has signed a five-year deal. He is the second recruit to Everton's defence in the last few days after Sylvain Distin sealed his move from Portsmouth on Friday, as manager David Moyes spent some of the money from Joleon Lescott's £24m transfer to Manchester City last week. Aston Villa also bolstered their backline by bringing in James Collins from West Ham for a reported £5m, taking manager Martin O'Neill's summer spending to almost £33m.
"It's been a mad 24 hours since coming up here but I'm delighted to have it all sorted," said Collins, who has signed a four-year contract. "I came yesterday and met the manager and had a look around. It's a fantastic setting. I just can't wait to get cracking now." The Premier League's traditional 'Big Four' of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal were typically quiet on deadline day with none confirming deals by the close of the window. There was plenty of business to be done elsewhere, however, with plenty of comings and goings at Portsmouth. In a very late deal Tottenham confirmed they had reached an agreement with Pompey for the transfer of Croatian Nico Kranjcar after the midfielder successfully completed a medical examination and agreed personal terms.
There were more entrances than exits at Fratton Park though as the club signed Tal Ben-Haim from Manchester City on a four-year deal, subject to the formality of a work permit, and midfielder Hassan Yebda on a season-long loan from Benfica. "I am ready for the challenge. I want to help Pompey get some good results and take them to the position where they belong," said Israel and former Chelsea centre-back Ben-Haim. "We have brought a few players in now and I believe that we can turn things around." In a last-minute deal Portsmouth also clinched the signing of 25-year-old Watford centre-back Mike Williamson on a four-year deal for a reported £3m. "He's a young, hungry centre-half, a big lad who's uncompromising and does the basics first," said manager Paul Hart.
"We've watched him play and he's shown great promise which hopefully he will build on under our guidance." Goal-shy Bolton brought in Nantes' 29-year-old Croatia striker Ivan Klasnic, also on a season-long loan. "Ivan is a player who we have been tracking for quite a while," said manager Gary Megson. "His goal scoring record is very good and he has an excellent pedigree at international level with Croatia and domestically in Europe." Having signed Hull's Michael Turner yesterday, Sunderland confirmed they had sold Grant Leadbitter for up to £2.6m and fellow midfielder Carlos Edwards for up to £1.35m to Ipswich.
In deals announced after the deadline, Birmingham signed Sunderland midfielder Teemu Tainio on loan until the end of the season. Burnley fought off advances from two Premier League rivals to secure Portsmouth striker David Nugent on a six-month loan deal. The former Preston player has endured a difficult time at Fratton Park since his £6m move in July 2007 but if the 25-year-old is successful at Turf Moor he could make his move permanent. "We have not had an abundance of strikers so we have always been in the market and been looking to bolster that department," said manager Owen Coyle. "We have got someone with a fantastic pedigree and I am sure he will be a tremendous acquisition for the squad." Fulham confirmed they had signed striker David Elm from Swedish side Kalmar on a one-year deal for an undisclosed fee. * PA Sport