Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new five-year contract at Everton following links with a move to Manchester United
Jarrad Branthwaite during an Everton game
Jarrad Branthwaite was a transfer target for Man United last year(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
One-time Manchester United transfer target Jarrad Branthwaite has committed his future to Everton by penning a fresh five-year contract.
The 23 year-old defender, who joined the Toffees from Carlisle in January 2020, has become a mainstay in the club's first team following productive loan spells with Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven.
Having made 30 league appearances for Everton in the last campaign, helping them secure a 13th-place finish in the Premier League, Branthwaite has now signed a new deal.
Branthwaite was a transfer target for United last season as they looked to bolster their ranks at centre-back. They signed Matthijs De Ligt and Leny Yoro but saw multiple bids foor Branthwaite rejected by Everton.
Speaking to EvertonTV after the deal, which extends his stay until June 2030, Branthwaite expressed his joy. "I'm over the moon," he 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,".
He shared his reasons for staying with the Merseyside club, adding: "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."
The central defender continued: "I know the club. I feel loved by the players – we've got a good group here – and the fans. Over the past few years, I've seen the impact the fans have on us as a team and how much it means to them.
"And, obviously, 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."
"We're delighted Jarrad has committed his future to us," Blues boss David Moyes said. "He is still only 23 and his best years are hopefully still ahead of him.
"We believe he can have a huge role to play in an exciting new era at the football club."
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