Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta has agreed a new five-year contract at Goodison Park, ending speculation over the 28-year-old’s future after a summer in which he has been linked with Arsenal and clubs in his native Spain
Arteta follows Tim Cahill, Leighton Baines, Jack Rodwell and Republic of Ireland defender Seamus Coleman in signing a new long-term deal this summer.
Arteta said: “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.”