Monday 29 February 2016 20:09, UK
Everton midfielder Muhamed Besic has committed his future to the club by signing a new five-and-a-half year contract.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international had already triggered a clause in his deal entitling him to a 12-month extension, by reaching 25 Premier League appearances for the Merseyside club.
But, in light of his impressive displays, the club have decided to hand the 23-year-old a longer term deal, one which runs until the end of June 2021.
Besic is recovering from a hamstring injury at present but has a chance of returning to the squad for the weekend visit of West Ham and he said signing the new contract had been a straightforward decision.
"I'm really happy to have signed a new contract with a club such as Everton," Besic told the club's official website.
"After a year and a half with the club, it makes me proud that they have given me a new deal.
"When I first arrived here it was difficult for me but now I feel at home. The supporters, as well as the manager, the staff and my team-mates, have all made me welcome at the club and I feel really happy.
"It was very easy when I heard about it. It was clear that I wanted to stay and sign the new contract. When people look at my game, before and now, I think I have improved a lot in many different areas.
"But I am still adapting to the league and I will continue to work hard and give my best. We always speak about things we want to achieve, Europe and other things. We have to show it on the pitch and do it.
"The next 12 games and also Chelsea in the FA Cup (quarter-final), I hope we can do our speaking on the pitch."
The new deal for Besic represents further positive news for Everton fans, following the weekend announcement that Iranian billionaire Farhad Moshiri had invested in the club, buying a 49.9 per cent stake for a reported £85m.
Besic, who joined from Hungarian side Ferencvaros for £4.8m in the summer of 2014, joins Bryan Oviedo in signing a new deal and the club are reportedly keen to agree a new deal with midfielder Ross Barkley in the summer.
