Aaron Lennon picks Toffees over Potters and Tigers to join on loan

Premier League top six chances Everton (20/1) have added Aaron Lennon to their ranks from Tottenham, signing him on loan until the end of the season. Stoke City and Hull City were also reportedly interested, but were unable to tempt him.

The 27-year-old pacy winger moves back up north closer to his homeland of Yorkshire, where he began his career at Leeds United, and will play for a club other than Spurs for the first time in almost a decade.

Lennon has rarely featured this season for the north Londoners, and it seems Roberto Martinez has offered him more first team football.

He will be up against the likes of Kevin Mirallas, who was linked to Spurs this transfer window, and Aiden McGeady for a starting place, though.

Martinez said: “We all know what Aaron will bring to our squad with his experience and know-how, his involvement with England in two World Cups and the landmarks he has set in the Premier League.

“At 27, Aaron will be a really important asset to our squad and he will represent a real boost in terms of attacking options from now to the end of the season. His pace and trickery will fit in well at Goodison.”

Diminutive Lennon is arguably in the prime years of his career, although injuries and lack of form have hindered his progress in recent seasons. However, what he brings to the Toffees is experience, having earned 21 caps for England and a League Cup medal to his name.

The Leeds-born player was also named Spurs’ ‘Player of the year’ back in the 2008/09 campaign, and Martinez will be hoping to release the quality he has been hiding the past few years.

A move to Everton could also mean that he is back in contention for an England call-up, and can take heart from the likes of West Ham United’s Stewart Downing, who was recently re-called from international exile too.