Ross Barkley Signs Everton Contract Extension Until 2018

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley has signed a four-year contract extension at Goodison Park.

The England international scored six league goals in 34 appearances last season.

He was named in Eangland’s World Cup squad and featured in all three of the country’s games as they crashed out in the group stage in Brazil.

“It (signing a new contract) means everything. It’s a dream playing for Everton,” said Barkley in his news conference.

Ross Barkley Celebrates His Goal Against Man City Last Season. Image: Getty Image.
Ross Barkley Celebrates His Goal Against Man City Last Season. Image: Getty Image.

“I’m settled in at Everton, we have to push on now from here.

Barkley made his senior team debut for Everton at the start of the 2011/12 season, six years after beginning his football career with the club’s youth set-up as an 11-year-old.

He was away at Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United on loan before returning for his breakthrough season under Roberto Martinez in the 2013/14 season.

The 20-year-old described Martinez as “a great man” and key to his progress into the Everton first team and England setup.

“Since Martinez arrived he has helped me and all the young players a lot. He’s great. he develops our all around game, talks to us everyday, he’s a great man,” he added on his relationship with the club’s Spanish coach.

Barkley, who at one point was eligible to play for Nigeria through his paternal grandfather, earned his debut with the England national team in September 2013 in a Wold Cup qualifier against Moldova.

Martinez said: “It’s a four-year deal which reflects his new role and his development. This is as big news as we could get. He is still a young man but as it stands he is a massive part of our squad. Ross Barkley is the type of player every one wants to pay to see.”