Senderos has struggled for first-team football this season

Everton have completed the signing of Philippe Senderos on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season.

The 24-year-old Swiss defender has been limited to Carling Cup appearances this season and has made it clear he wants to leave the north London club.

"I can't wait to get stuck in and play for Everton. Hopefully, I can get some first-team football," he told the Toffees' website.

"I am here with high hopes and hopefully I can fulfil them."

The Merseyside club had been looking to add to their defensive options following the departure of Lucas Neill to Turkish club Galatasaray.

"I have spoken to [Everton manager] David Moyes and he hopes to give me opportunities here," added Senderos.

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"Everton's form over the last few weeks has been better and they are getting stronger."

The defender joined the Gunners for £2.5m from Swiss side Servette in 2003, making 117 appearances.

However, he fell out of favour with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and was loaned out to AC Milan last season.

His fortunes did not improve after his return from Italy and the centre-back has made no secret of his desire to move elsewhere to play first-team football before this summer's World Cup.

"I want to go, I want and need to be playing ahead of the World Cup," said Senderos, who has been capped 33 times by his country.

Moyes tried to sign Senderos last summer but the move is thought to have stalled over Arsenal's valuation of the player, who was also strongly linked with Celtic.

But the Everton boss revived his interest in Arsenal's 2005 FA Cup winner with defensive cover looking thin at Goodison Park following Neill's surprise exit and Tony Hibbert facing at least a month out with a hernia injury.

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