Everton star Branthwaite signs five-year deal
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a fresh five-year contract with the Premier League club.
The Toffees are in a summer of upheaval ahead of their move from Goodison Park to Hill Dickinson Stadium, with David Moyes's squad short on numbers.
Ashley Young, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure have left after the expiration of their contracts, while the futures of Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane are up in the air.
However, Everton has moved to tie down star prospect Branthwaite to a long-term deal, running until 2030.
"I'm over the moon," the defender said. "It's been something we've been talking about since the end of the season and to get it signed now is something I'm really excited about.
"The trust the club's put in me and how many games I've played over the past two seasons has made it quite an easy decision for me to stay and to keep progressing as a player.
"I know the club. I feel loved by the players – we’ve got a good group here – and the fans. With the new stadium we’ve got here, the new ownership and the new manager, it's an exciting project and it's something I want to be part of.
"Moving to the new stadium together and having that first game at home is something we’re all looking forward to. We want to go again and push for a good season."
Branthwaite, who turned 23 last week, joined Everton from Carlisle United in 2020.
After a successful loan spell at PSV in 2022-2023, Branthwaite established himself as a key figure under Sean Dyche the next season.
Manchester United lodged several bids for Branthwaite in the summer of 2024, with Everton determined to keep hold of one of the Premier League's best young players.
Branthwaite received a maiden England call-up ahead of Euro 2024, but was not included in Gareth Southgate's final squad due to injury.
Alongside James Tarkowski, Branthwaite has helped form a sturdy defence, with Everton the fourth-fewest goals (95) of any of the ever-present Premier League teams since the start of the 2023-2024 campaign.
The Toffees have also kept 25 clean sheets in that time, a tally that trails only Manchester City (26) and Arsenal (31).
Meanwhile, striker Thierno Barry, who scored 11 LaLiga goals for Villarreal last season, is reportedly close to joining David Moyes' team in a deal worth up to £32.6m (€38m).
