Mikel Arteta has provided a huge boost to the Blues by agreeing a new five year contract with the Club.
The deal will keep the 28-year-old at Goodison until 2015 and brings an end to media speculation over the Spaniard's future.
Arteta becomes the fifth player this summer to agree new terms with the Club. He follows Tim Cahill, Seamus Coleman, Jack Rodwell and Leighton Baines in tying his future to the Blues.
Arteta told evertonfc.com: "What this summer has made me realise is how important I am to the Club and how important the Club is to me. The Chairman and the manager wanted me to stay 120 per cent and that makes me feel proud. We are all seeing the Club and the future in the same way and that is special - something that you don't always find.
"I believe in this squad. We have got a very strong squad now and it is getting difficult to pick an 11 because of the players we have. Something is happening here and I want to be a part of it."
Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright believes the new deal is a huge boost for the Club so close to the new season.
He said: "Mikel Arteta is one of the finest players ever to wear an Everton shirt and over the past few weeks his pride in wearing that shirt has helped our conversations hugely. Alongside several others in the squad we are both passionate Evertonians.
"After already tying up the likes of Tim Cahill, Jack Rodwell, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman on long-term deals we have now agreed terms with one of the finest and most influential players in our recent history."
Arteta has been a key player for the Blues since first arriving on Merseyside in January 2005 and has twice been named the Club's Player of the Season in his time with Everton.
Manager David Moyes sees Arteta as a key part of his plans for the future of the side.
"Its great news that Mikel Arteta has pledged his future to Everton. He is a very important player for us and we are delighted to secure him.
"The Chairman deserves a lot of credit for making this deal happen. He is continually trying to move the Club forward."
傾左咁耐, Arteta終於續約,繼續留效
http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2010/08/07/arteta-agrees-new-deal[ 本文被可可粉在2010-08-07 23:43重新編輯 ]
