PLAYER PROFILE

Mikel Arteta

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'9

Weight: 10st 12lbs

Date of Birth: 1982-03-26 San Sebastian, Spain

Mikel Arteta

Former Rangers midfielder Mikel Arteta joined Everton on loan for the rest of the season in January 2005. The Spaniard was at Real Sociedad, following spells at Barcelona, Rangers and Paris St Germain.

Arteta made 13 appearances and scored once in 2004/05 and after lengty negotiations in the summer of 2005, he finally completed a £2m move to Goodison Park in July.

In his first full season with the Toffees, Arteta made 38 appearances, scoring three goals and proved to be a crucial member of the side that helped Everton pull away from the relegation zone after Christmas, despite getting a red card in their derby defeat to Liverpool at Goodison.

Another nine goals in 38 games meant that 2006/07 was another good season for Arteta and he continued this form in 2007/08, contributing four goals and nine assists. A further seven goals and eight assists followed in 2008/09, but as with previous campaign, he struggled against injury and missed the final few months.