At £8.9million Russian international Diniyar Bilyaletdinov became the third most expensive player in Everton’s history when he joined the club at the end of the August 2009 transfer window.  The son of a former professional player and influential coach at Lokomotiv Moscow, Rinat Bilyaletdinov, there were high hopes of a player who carried great potential.  In concluding the deal David Moyes ended a nine-month long pursuit of him.

Indeed on unveiling his new signing, Moyes likened the young Tartar to Kevin Sheedy.  ‘He’s a left-sided player and he’s actually got a bit of Kevin Sheedy about him,’ said the Everton manager. ‘He can also play on the right and can fill several roles in the team. [Russia manager] Guus Hiddink has even used him as an emergency left-back in the past.’

Bilyaletdinov was given a role in one of the most talented midfields in Everton history, lining up alongside the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar. But while showing intelligence in his passing and movement, the physicality and intensity of the Premier League seemed too much for the Russian and there was a tendency to go missing from the action.  On just seven occasions during the 2009/10 season did he complete 90 minutes in a league match.

And yet his talent was obvious.  There was a shot that struck the back of the Manchester United net with such mighty velocity that it left the usually imperious Edwin Van Der Saar standing still and set Everton on the way to a fine victory in February 2010.  There was a similarly net bursting long distance goal against Portsmouth with virtually the last kick of his debut season that whetted the Evertonian appetite further. 

Bit despite these glimpses of his pedigree, Bilyaletdinov and English football did not appear to be made for each other.  A regular starting berth proved elusive and so did the form that saw Moyes pay such a hefty fee. He started just ten league games in the 2010/11 season and similarly struggled the following season.  Seeking to revitalise his team, in January 2012 Moyes cut his losses, selling the midfielder to Spartak Moscow for a fee believed to be around £5million. With the funds he signed Darron Gibson and Nikica Jelavic and Everton once more prospered.

Back in his homeland Bilyaletdinov struggled for game time and was twice loaned out by Spartak, before a brief spell with Rubin Kazan. He finished his career in the Lithuanian league, playing a season with Trakai.