Tuesday 4 April 2017 08:19, UK
Everton youngster Tom Davies has signed a new five-year contract after an impressive breakthrough season at Goodison Park.
The 18-year-old midfielder has established himself in Ronald Koeman's first team despite heavy investment in new players last summer, making 17 appearances including 10 Premier League starts.
Davies signed a new contract until 2021 last summer, having emerged as the club's most promising academy graduate, but having agreed to fresh terms, he said: "It means everything to me to get a chance to be in the Everton first team and to try to stay there. It's an unbelievable feeling.
"Everton has a long tradition of bringing young players through and the incentive has always been there for me to try to progress with the club.
"I used to look at Mikel Arteta and aspire to be out there playing alongside my heroes and, obviously, Wayne Rooney and Ross Barkley, who came through the academy here too, have been inspirational figures for me.
"Hopefully, young players in the academy now can see how I have been able to progress and make my way to the Everton first team."
Koeman said: "It's a case of well done, Tom. He is maybe the young player who has improved the most in the last few months. He went straight into the team performing at a high level and has kept his feet on the ground."
Liverpool-born Davies was handed his Premier League debut by manager Roberto Martínez on April 16 last year in a draw with Southampton at Goodison Park.
He was then given his first start for by interim manager David Unsworth in the win over Norwich on the final day of last season, after Martinez was sacked.
