JAMES McCarthy returns to Premier League football after Everton secured the Irish international as one of their late signings, bringing the squad's number of Irishmen to four last night.
The transfer fee for the 22-year-old has been stated as £13 million according to Everton, but Wigan have said that it is closer to £15 million.
Marouane Fellaini’s departure to Manchester United close to the transfer deadline led Everton to sign McCarthy who has represented Ireland on 16 occasions and was part of Wigan’s FA Cup-winning squad last season.
The length of McCarthy’s contract has not yet been disclosed but it has been described by the club as a “long-term deal.”
Another Irishman who secured a move on deadline-day was Stephen Ireland, who completed his season-long loan deal from Aston Villa to Stoke City.
Once named Manchester City's Player of the Year in 2009, Stoke will be hoping that the 27-year-old can regain this form in reuniting with his former City boss, Mark Hughes.
There was also speculation over Shane Long, who had been linked with a £5 million move to Hull after West Brom signed Stephane Sessegnon, but it appears that Long will be staying put.
The Irishman had left Ireland's training camp in Dublin to complete the deal in Hull but was left frustrated after West Brom reportedly pulled the plug on the deal 10 minutes before the transfer window closed.
