James McCarthy has said that securing an 11th-hour move to Everton has proved to be the pinnacle of his entire year.
The Republic of Ireland international sealed a switch to Goodison Park from Wigan Athletic in the dying embers of the summer transfer window, reuniting with former Latics boss Roberto Martinez for a fee in the region of £13m.
The duo enjoyed FA Cup success together in May but, speaking to The Independent, McCarthy claims that signing for the Toffees was the high point of his 2013.
"I'd just been pacing up and down the living room. I was just there, at home, just wondering if it was going to happen. Then I was told to drive up and, hopefully, something would get sorted out in time," he said.
"The manager was a tactical genius on the day; I think he's got something different that a lot of managers don't have. It was the high point of the year - no doubt about it. It's been a year of ups and downs, highs and lows, but nothing tops signing for a club like Everton."
McCarthy has emerged as a key figure in Martinez's team this season, playing 12 times in the club's ascent to fifth in the Premier League table.
The Merseyside outfit travel to the Liberty Stadium for a clash with Swansea City on Sunday, which is scheduled to kick off at 4pm.
Shane Callaghan
