Phil Jagielka has signed a one-year extension to his contract at Everton Football Club.
The captain will now remain at Goodison Park until the summer of 2018.
“It’s always nice to feel wanted,” a delighted Jagielka told evertontv. “Being rewarded with the extra year gives me that motivation to keep striving to get better and to keep going for as long as possible.
“It wasn’t the longest negotiations ever – it only took a couple of minutes rather than hours. I love it here, I want to stay here and thankfully enough the Club felt the same.
“The contract was drawn up and I popped back after a little holiday to sign it. Now I look forward to getting back for pre-season.”
The announcement of Jagielka’s contract extension comes a month after he was crowned the Everton Player of the Season for 2014/15.
The England defender, who has to date won 36 caps for his country, swept up at the Club’s annual awards evening in May, also taking home the Players’ Player of the Season and Goal of the Season prizes.
Such has been the high level of Jagielka’s performances over the last year, Everton manager Roberto Martinez recently said that the former Sheffield United man was in the ‘best form of his career’.
“It’s great news that Phil is extending his relationship with the Club,” added Martinez. “He has excelled as a leader and as a captain of our football club for the last two seasons.
“I am sure everyone connected with the Club will join me in being absolutely delighted that he has signed this extension to his deal.”
The 32-year-old centre-half, who began his association with the Toffees in 2007 when he swapped Bramall Lane for Goodison, is nearing 300 appearances for the Club.
He assumed the role of captain at the beginning of 2013/14 following previous skipper
Phil Neville’s retirement.
Jagielka’s new contract means he will have completed 11 years’ service to Everton by the time it expires in 2018.