Coleman extends Everton stay

Everton defender Seamus Coleman has put pen to paper on a five and half year deal that will keep the Donegal man with the Toffees until 2018.

Coleman left Sligo Rovers for Everton at a cost of just €60,000 back in 2009.  The Killybegs man made his debut against Benfica that October before going on loan to Blackpool.  Coleman played a huge role in the club’s promotion to the Premiership and scored in the Championship Play-off Final against Cardiff.

Coleman signed a three year contract in May 2010 before earning an improved four and a half year deal at Goodison Park in January 2011.

Everton boss David Moyes has employed Coleman as both defender and right-sided midfielder up until this season. However Coleman, who has missed the last three games due to injury, has firmly established himself as the club’s first choice right back and has started 13 games in that position already this season.

The 24 year old has now played 84 times for the Merseyside club and has scored six goals.

"I'm over the moon. I'm glad to get it all done and to sign for so long at a Club like Everton is a great achievement - I want to be here for as long as possible”, he told EvertonTV.

“Signing a contract here is fantastic and I'm really looking forward to the next couple of years.”

"I'm going to keep working as hard as I have done since day one and keep improving every day in training to impress the manager.

On the international front, things here are looking good for Coleman as well. He was an unused sub in the Republic’s opening win of the World Cup Qualification campaign against Kazakhstan. But since then, the defender has started Ireland’s two games – the 4-1 win over the Faroe Islands and that 6-1 mauling by Germany in September.