Distin: ´It´s a pleasure to play at Everton´

Sylvain Distin is happy at Everton and has expressed his desire to remain with the club for as long as possible.

The imposing central defender has had a successful season making 33 appearances for the Toffees, and was awarded the Player’s Player of the Season award for 2011-12.

The 34-year-old is in no rush to leave Merseyside, insisting he is already looking forward to next season.

“I want to carry on as long as I can. I don’t need a boost. No matter what happens, you can be sure I’ll be there the next day,” Distin said on the Everton website.

“I don’t need any boost to go into next season. I love my job and I know how lucky I am to do this kind of job.”

The only significant blight on Distin’s record this season was the error he made in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against local rivals Liverpool.

That mistake contributed to their defeat and meant the Frenchman was unable to add to his only major honour, the 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth.

“That split-second in the semi-final represents nothing compared with the whole season but is still something that I keep in the back of my mind. That takes more importance than the whole season to me, personally,” he said.

“I’m passionate about my job, I love my job but I only focus on the bad things I do, never the good things.

“It did hurt me, but I bounced back – I had to and I’m happy I did.”

He has now featured in 11 Premier League campaigns, making 377 league appearances. Last season he formed a solid partnership with England international Phil Jagielka and he praised the current squad of players at Goodison Park.

“It’s a good squad here with a great atmosphere. I feel so comfortable with the lads, so it’s a pleasure,” he said.