Cahill pens new deal

Tim Cahill has handed Everton a huge boost by signing a new five-year deal.

The Australian only signed from Millwall last summer, but made a huge impact at Goodison Park and was a major factor behind their UEFA Champions League qualification.

The Toffees quickly handed Cahill the chance to sign a new deal, but he initially snubbed the offer saying it was not just reward for his efforts.

However, the 26-year-old has now decided to pen a new five-year deal on improved terms - just a day before Everton take on Villarreal in the Champions League.

"All the talk that has been going on hasn't helped but we knew we would come to a resolution," Cahill told the club's website.

"It was just a matter of sitting down with the gaffer and club properly.

"It is done now and I am happy and all I can say it is another dream come true, another five years at the club I love and at the one that gave me my chance."

Cahill has now extended his stay on Merseyside until the summer of 2010, and manager David Moyes was delighted the situation had been sorted out.

"We are pleased because it became a little bit more messy than we expected it to be," said Myes.

"Tim was going to be here for the long term anyway but we wanted to make sure he was secured.

"He showed throughout last season his value to us and we are just happy that we have now got him on a longer term deal."