Wednesday 2 August 2017 18:39, UK
Phil Jagielka has signed an extension to his current Everton contract, keeping him on Merseyside until June 2019.
The 34-year-old has added one more season to his current deal and the Manchester-born defender told Everton TV: "It has been a fantastic time here.
"But, hopefully, we will create some more special memories in the next two years and I can look back on my time at Everton with a smile on my face."
Everton have had a busy summer in the transfer market, bringing in goalkeeper Jordan Pickford; defenders Michael Keane and Cuco Martina; midfielder Davy Klaassen and forwards Wayne Rooney, Sandro Ramirez and Henry Onyekuru. The latter will spend the 2017/18 season on loan at Belgian club Anderlecht.
And Jagielka, who moved to Goodison Park from Sheffield United 10 years ago, added: "The club is moving forward. I do not think the transfer business is finished but it is good that we have got people in nice and early.
"For the chairman to offer me the extra year, hopefully I can play my role, whatever that might be. First and foremost, I want to get myself in that team and do my bit on the pitch. Realistically, winning a trophy is an aim.
"We have the European game coming up, we want to get through that, then we will look forward to competing in four competitions this season and performing in every one."
As for Thursday's Europa League, second leg tie, with MFK Ruzomberok in Slovakia, the former England centre-back went on: "We would have liked one or two more goals to have made it a bit simpler over there.
First and foremost, I want to get myself in that team and do my bit on the pitch. Realistically, winning a trophy is an aim.
"We need to do a professional job. I am not sure they will change their approach dramatically, initially. They will not want to be too gung-ho from the first minute."
The Toffees go into the return fixture with a slender 1-0 win at Goodison behind them.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman said of Jagielka: "Phil is a natural captain and his continued level of fitness contributes also to him being a really important player for us.
"The fact that he has been an Everton player for a decade now underlines his character and why he is a player admired by many people, and also by the manager."
