Stubbs completes Everton switch

Alan Stubbs today realised a lifetime's ambition by completing his move to Everton.

Alan Stubbs today realised a lifetime's ambition by completing his move to Everton.

The 29-year-old central defender was unveiled at a press conference at the club's Bellefield training ground.

Stubbs, out of contract with Celtic at the end of last month, decided to reject the club's offer of a new deal and return to the club he supported as a boy.

After being released by Everton in his teens, Kirkby-born Stubbs went on to make his name at Bolton.

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He joined Celtic in 1996 for £4.5 million sterling and helped them win the title two years later.

But in the summer of 1999 a routine drug test after the Scottish Cup final revealed he was suffering from testicular cancer.

He fought back not once, but twice, and returned to the side at the end of last season.

When he heard Everton were interested in taking him back home, there was only going to be one winner, however, and he becomes manager Walter Smith's first signing of the summer.

PA