Since David Moyes became manager of Everton over 7 years ago back in 2002, the Scottish manager has brought a number of players to the Premiership club. Often working with limited transfer funds, Moyes has bought some real gems for Everton over the years that have shone at Goodison Park. The Toffees’ fans have been treated to quality players in recent years, and although most of Moyes’ buys have been from domestic football, he has also shown that he can spot talent across Europe as well. Here is a look at the Top Ten transfers that David Moyes has made whilst he has been manager at the Merseyside club:

10: Joseph Yobo – One of David Moyes’ first major signings, the Nigerian defender joined Everton on loan in 2002 before they made the deal permanent a year later when he signed from Marseilles for £5 million. He is in his eighth season at the Merseyside club and has been a consistent performer for them, illustrated by the fact that he played every minute of the 2006/07 Premiership season. Having racked up over 200 appearances in all competitions for Everton, Yobo continues to be a key member of the first-team and has all the attributes of a assured and assertive defender.

9: Louis Saha – One of the best Premier League bargains in recent times, Saha has proved to be a real coup for Everton. Signed from Manchester United in 2008 for an undisclosed fee on a pay-as-you-play contract, the injury prone striker has found some form since his move. The French striker has a goal scoring pedigree in the Premiership and across Europe and he has shown that he is still a quality striker. This season in particular he has been in top form for Everton, hitting the back of the net in the Premier League 7 times in 10 appearances and is currently on red hot form.

8: Phil Neville – Since leaving Manchester United in 2005, Neville has become a player that David Moyes and Everton can rely on and he will always give 100% for the club. Signed for £3.5 million, the versatile player has an excellent attitude and a tireless work-rate, two qualities that have earned him the responsibility of being club captain. Not the prettiest player to watch, Neville’s qualities are vital for Everton and he has now played over 150 games in all competitions for the Merseyside club and brings much experience to the Everton first-team.

7: Andrew Johnson – AJ became a fan favourite during his 2 seasons at Everton and his pace up front gave them a different option. Early in his career Johnson was perceived to be too small to be a top-class striker, but Everton fans will beg to differ as he netted over 20 goals in all competitions for the club. Signed in 2006 from Crystal Palace for £8.6 million, AJ hit form that helped him force his way into the England setup and was Everton’s top scorer in the 2006/07 Premier League season. Sold to Fulham for £10.5 million in 2008, Everton made a healthy profit on him too.

6: Tim Howard – The American goalkeeper is Everton’s number one and doesn’t look like giving up that position in the foreseeable future. After a season on loan at Goodison Park, Everton signed Howard from Manchester United for £3 million in 2007. The ‘keeper has been a solid performer for Everton ever since, setting a club record for the most clean sheets in a season in the 2008/09 campaign and has played over 100 Premier League matches for them. Howard is now in the peak of his career, and his shot stopping will be needed for Everton to climb the Premiership table.

5: Marouane Fellaini – Moyes shelled out a lot of money for the Belgian midfielder, with Fellaini costing Everton £12 million when he signed from Standard Liege last year. But, the tall midfielder has already become a real asset for the club, as he is a threat in the air and his aggressive nature makes him a tough to play against. Approaching his 22nd birthday, Fellaini has the potential to become a Premier League star, as his stamina and work-rate make him ideally suited to the style of play in England, and the Everton cult hero was named Young Player of the Season last campaign.

4: Phil Jagielka – The English defender has greatly impressed in his 2 years at Everton and has even gained recognition from Fabio Capello. Signed from Sheffield United for £4 million in 2007, Jagielka is now an important part of the Everton first team and particularly impressed last season in the Premiership. The central defender is currently injured as is unlikely to return until next year, but Everton fans will be hoping that he can reproduce the same form when he returns. Last year’s Player of the Season, Jagielka definitely comes into the category of an unsung hero.

3: Joleon Lescott – A graduate of Wolves’ youth academy, Everton signed Lescott from the Midlands club in 2006 for a fee of up to £5 million. 3 seasons later the England defender was sold to Manchester City for £24 million and Everton made almost a £20 million profit on the player. In his time at Goodison Park Lescott became known as ‘Mr Consistency’ and his place in the first-team was always assured. He played over 100 Premier League matches under David Moyes and won Players’ Player of the Year and Player of the Year awards for the 2007/08 season.

2: Mikel Arteta – Arteta was signed from Real Sociedad in 2005 for the miserly sum of £2 million, and after 5 years at Everton is definitely worth a lot more now. The Spanish midfielder hit the ground running at Goodison Park, picking up the Fans’ and Players’ Player of the Season awards in his first full Premier League campaign, as well as the Premiership’s Midfielder of the Year award in 2007. His creativity is essential to Everton’s attacking play and is only kept out of the Spanish team due to their abundance of midfield talent. His return from injury is highly anticipated and much needed.

1: Tim Cahill – The Australian midfielder has been a revelation at Everton since joining them in 2004. Signed from Millwall for a fee of just £1.5 million, Cahill has continuously impressed and is now a vital player for the Merseyside club. Given the nickname ‘The Invisible Man’ for his ability to escape markers in the box, the attacking midfielder supports Everton’s strikers admirably and is highly underrated. Cahill has scored the most headed goals in the Premier League, netting 20 times with his head, and the Australian is one of the best midfielders in Premiership currently.

The top two in this list, Cahill and Arteta, are arguably two of the best signings in the history of the club, as well as two all-time Premiership bargains. These signings show how David Moyes has an eye for a good player and is not afraid to spend money on previously unrecognised talent. But are there any Everton signings under Moyes that haven’t made it into the top ten and you feel should be on there? And will any recent signings such as John Heitinga prove to be great Everton buys in the future?

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