Pienaar, who joined Tottenham Hotspur from the Toffees halfway through last season, was frustrated at White Hart Lane, having made just two English Premier League appearances this season.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was reluctant to release him, but an agreement that saw striker Luis Saha go the other way changed his mind.

Minutes before the transfer deadline, and after Spurs 3-1 win over Wigan Athletic, Redknapp said: "Steven Pienaar wants to go on loan to Everton and I am trying to hide from him. I told David Moyes (Everton manager) if I could get the player I wanted, he could have Steven on loan."

By midnight, Spurs had confirmed on their website that Pienaar had rejoined his former team, where he was voted player of the year the season before he left, until the end of the 2011-2012 season.

Pienaar has made 18 appearances in all competitions since his arrival at Spurs.

He was also being chased by Queens Park Rangers, whose £3-million offer was considered too low by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

With one South African out of the door - albeit temporarily - Spurs welcomed another.

Bongani Khumalo returned to the fold after Reading ended his season-long loan deal ostensibly because he was just not good enough to earn a spot in the English Championship side's line-up.

The former Supersport United defender could, however, be offered to another club on loan. Even though the transfer window is closed, Championship clubs can still borrow players from the Premiership between now and March 26.

Premiership clubs spent around £60-million in the January transfer window. Chelsea, QPR and Newcastle United were the biggest spenders, contributing more than half of the total figure.

In the Premiership, Mamelodi Sundowns have released Matthew Pattison and Koketso Mmotong although there were just five months remaining on their contracts.

Pattison failed to secure a move to Europe, with neither Leeds United nor Scottish club Hibernian offering him a contract.

He will now join Santos for the remainder of the season, but is set to head back to Europe in search of a club to be closer to his family.

Mmotong spent the second half of last season helping Moroka Swallows escape relegation, but was recalled by Sundowns.

He has since joined National First Division side Mpumalanga Black Aces, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.