Everton defender John Stones has signed a new five-year contract at the club after his success last season triggered a renegotiation in his deal.
John Stones has signed a new five-year contract with Everton
The 20-year-old joined Everton from Barnsley in 2013 and had a clause in his previous deal stating that he could discuss new terms if he made 15 Premier League appearances last season.
Ultimately he made 21 as Roberto MartÃnez’s side finished fifth in an impressive campaign, with the defender earning a place in Roy Hodgson’s stand-by list for England's World Cup squad.
He went on to win two caps in friendlies before heading home before the World Cup in Brazil.
MartÃnez admits there was contact from other Premier League clubs over Stones, who was linked with both Arsenal and Tottenham, earlier this summer, and he is pleased that the youngster has followed Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman in signing an extension.
He said: “No one bid but there was a lot of interest. People were asking about his situation. You hear through the agent, would we be prepared to sell him, that kind of information.
“He had a clause in his contract that after 15 games in the Premier League he had a renegotiation.
“But we wanted to make sure that it was a good contract and a good reward for what he did in the last campaign and a role he has to have in this season’s squad, nothing more than that.
“As a young player he fits our football club fantastically well and it’s great that he’s committed himself to the long term and he can fulfil his huge potential.”
Stones said that the past 12 months could not have gone better and is hoping to continue his sharp progression.
He said: “It’s a big dream come true to sign again at such an amazing club and I’m glad it’s done now and I can look forward to the season.
“The last 12 months has gone quickly. I couldn’t have expected it at the start of the season to play as many as I did and to get that call from Roy Hodgson to go training was unbelievable.
“It all started with the gaffer here putting faith in me to play in the first team here and went from there. To get with England and get a taste from them has spurred me on for this season.”
Stones joins Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman in committing his long-term future to the Toffees this summer.
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