SEAMUS Coleman has signed a new one-year contract extension at Everton.
The new deal will keep the Killybegs man at Goodison Park until the summer of 2023.
The Republic of Ireland captain, who has played 59 times for his country, is eager for some success under new Toffees manager Rafa Benitez.
“I’m very happy – everyone around the Football Club and I’m sure all the fans know how much this club has meant to me from day one,” Coleman said.
“It’s a massive honour to extend my time here. It was about getting my head down and to keep working hard like I’ve always done, and the Club decided to reward me with that. It’s something I’m very happy with.
“Hopefully now I can keep going as long as possible, give my experience to the younger lads, help and support them in any way I can, and contribute on the pitch as much as possible.
“Discussions with Marcel, the Board and the manager were straight forward. It’s not something that I just wanted to be given. I worked very hard last season and thought I did quite well in the games that I played in.
“Every day in training I pushed myself to the limits and did all I could to stay and play for a big football club like this. I’m very thankful to Marcel, the manager, the Chairman and the Board to get this done.”
Coleman, signed from Sligo Rovers for a bargain £350,000 in 2009, has made 350 appearance for Everton.
He is now a fans favourite and makes no secret of his desire for silverware.
He said: “I keep saying it and make no apologies for it, winning is what we’re here to do. The whole Football Club’s vision is to break that barrier [to win silverware again]. My job in the process is to be sure we are doing all the right things behind the scenes, on the training pitch, the best way possible.
“It’s about being the best we can every day, making sure we demand more off each other. It’s something that I need to do, the senior players need to do and the new players need to do.
“It’s very easy to sit here and say it but we all need to show the right attitude at the Club and hopefully that can help us going forward.
“We shouldn’t take for granted the size of the football club we are at, the plans for Everton going forward, the talent of the players we have. It’s something we should embrace and enjoy being part of.”
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