James Tarkowski has shared his thoughts on the atmosphere at Hill Dickinson Stadium after signing a two-year contract extension at Everton
After committing himself to the club until 2028, James Tarkowski has declared that his ambition is to bring European football to Hill Dickinson Stadium. And the centre-back has insisted that Everton’s new 52,769 capacity home on the Mersey waterfront has “the best atmosphere” he’s ever played in.
The 32-year-old, who joined the Blues on a Bosman-style free transfer in the summer of 2022 when he became a free agent at Burnley, was due to come to the end of his initial three-year deal at the end of this season but he has now signed a contract extension for a further two years.
Tarkowski hasn’t missed a minute of Everton’s nine matches in all competitions so far this term having returned from surgery on a hamstring injured suffering against Manchester City on April 19, which ended his sequence of 109 consecutive starts for the club in the Premier League.
The run included the unbridled scenes of celebration after the Mancunian scoring a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Liverpool with the last kick of a ball from a home player to ensure the Blues did not leave Goodison Park with a losing record against their neighbours after more than 130 years of Merseyside Derby combat.
Tarkowski acknowledges that Evertonians have successfully transported that passion some two miles down the road from Walton to Vauxhall though and said: “There was a lot of talk when we left Goodison about what it was going to be like at the new stadium.
“I know it’s probably helped that the results have been pretty good so far, with two wins and two draws in the league – but the atmosphere for me has been incredible.
“People keep asking me what it’s like to play there. It’s probably the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced.
“I know Goodison had some special, special moments but for week-in, week-out, so far, the atmosphere has been outstanding.
“What an amazing experience to be able to walk out on to that pitch every other week.”
Looking to the future, Tarkowski’s primary target is clear having been given a tantalising taste of continental competition with the Clarets when they finished seventh in the Premier League under Sean Dyche in 2018.
He said: “It’s always been an ambition of mine to play European football. I had a brief spell with Burnley in the qualifiers, but we didn’t make it to the group stages, so I want to get there.
“It’s the manager’s goal, it’s our goal as a team and, so far, we’ve started pretty well.
“Of course, it could have been better but we’ve had a decent start and we’re definitely striving to get into those European spots and bring European football to our new stadium.”