Arteta signs five-year deal with Everton

Everton’s Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta, pictured in the Premier League match against Fulham at Goodison Park on April 25, has signed a new five-year contract with the Merseyside club.

Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta signed a new five-year contract with the Premier League club on Saturday.

Arteta had been linked with a move to Arsenal but the 28-year-old has ended speculation over his future by agreeing the improved deal.

The Spaniard is the latest Everton star, after Tim Cahill, Leighton Baines, Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman, to sign a new contract since the end of last season.

Arteta told the club’s website: “What this summer has made me realise is how important I am to the club and how important the club is to me.

“The chairman and the manager wanted me to stay 120 percent and that makes me feel proud.

“We are all seeing the club and the future in the same way and that is special – something that you don’t always find.

“I believe in this squad. We have got a very strong squad now and it is getting difficult to pick an 11 because of the players we have. Something is happening here and I want to be a part of it.”