ˌɔn nˈaɪntiːn dʒˈænjuːˌɛɹi nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti sˈɪks, hiː ɐɡɹˈiːd tˈɜːmz wɪð ˈɛvɚtən fɚɹə pˈaʊnd sˈɛvənhˈʌndɹɪd,zˈiəɹoʊzˈiəɹoʊ zˈiəɹoʊ tɹˈænsfɜː, bˌʌt hæd dˈɪfɪkˌʌlti əbtˈeɪnɪŋ ɐ wˈɜːk pˈɜːmɪt, wˌɪtʃ wʌz fˈaɪnəli ɡɹˈæntᵻd ˌɔn nˈaɪn mˈɑːɹtʃ nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti sˈɪks wɛn hɪz lˈɔŋ wˈeɪt tə bɪkˌʌm ɐn ˈɛvɚtən plˈeɪɚɹ ˈɛndᵻd.
On 19 January 1996, he agreed terms with Everton for a £700,000 transfer, but had difficulty obtaining a work permit, which was finally granted on 9 March 1996 when his long wait to become an Everton player ended.