Highly regarded England midfielder Ross Barkley has signed a new four-year contract with Everton, the English Premier League club announced on Tuesday.
“Ross Barkley has committed his long-term future to Everton by signing a new contract at Goodison Park,” Everton announced on their Web site. “The 20-year-old midfielder has put pen to paper on a new four-year agreement, meaning he will remain with the club until at least the end of the 2017-2018 season.”
Barkley, 20, exploded onto the scene last season and was nominated for the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year award.
Photo: Reuters
The skillful central midfielder was rewarded for his form with a place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the FIFA World Cup finals and appeared in all three of his side’s group games in Brazil.
He came off the bench in the 2-1 defeats against Italy and Uruguay, and started in the 0-0 draw with Costa Rica, leaving him with nine international caps.
Barkley has been linked with clubs including Manchester United, but he said that he had had no second thoughts about tying himself to Goodison Park.
“Signing a new contract is a dream. I’ve played for Everton most of my life. This is a big thing for me,” Barkley told the club’s Web site. “It didn’t take any persuading. As soon as I got told about it, I wanted to sign.”
Barkley made his debut against Queens Park Rangers during the 2011-2012 season and has made 56 appearances for the club.
“Everton and Ross have always been the perfect fit — [manager] Roberto [Martinez] has made it even more special,” Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright told the Web site. “This was an important agreement and, I have to say, was conducted in a way that showed clearly the devotion to Everton Football Club of everyone involved.”
Barkley follows 25-year-old Irish rightback Seamus Coleman in signing a new contract during the close-season. Everton have also signed Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder Muhamed Besic from Hungarian club Ferencvarosi TC and turned Gareth Barry’s loan move from Manchester City into a permanent transfer.
Martinez’s side finished fifth in the Premier League last season. They open the new campaign away at Leicester City on Aug. 16.
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