Gareth Barry, Leighton Baines and Mason Holgate have all had their contracts extended, Everton have announced.
Barry’s contract will now run until June 2018, Baines’ until June 2019 and Holgate’s until June 2021 as Ronald Koeman looks to secure both the long and short term of the squad.
? | BREAKING: Gareth Barry, Leighton Baines and Mason Holgate all sign contract extensions at #EFC. https://t.co/apBbqRsBFg pic.twitter.com/F0Gwr4uHRt
— Everton (@Everton) December 16, 2016
Both Baines and Barry have been mainstays in the side when fit in previous years, while Mason has been rewarded for breaking into the first team and impressing both Ronald Koeman and the fans with some of his performances.
Both Leighton and Barry’s contracts were due to be up in the summer
Ronald Koeman has heaped praise on the trio having signed deals, reaffirming their place in the squad.
With Leighton, his attitude is always perfect. He likes to work hard, he likes to learn, he is a technical player with a good view of the game and I’m really happy to have him in the team this season and also for the longer term.
Like Leighton, Gareth Barry is a clever player on the pitch. Only Ryan Giggs has played more games in the Premier League and let’s hope he will smash every record. He’s a quiet person but a strong character. He knows what he can and can’t do. He is a key player for the team. Of course, sometimes you need to protect older players, with all due respect. Gareth is 35 but he is still so important for the team and I’m very happy he has extended his contract.
Koeman also praised Mason Holgate and his rise to the first team, explaining he is ‘one of the biggest talents at the club’.
Of course, he started playing this season and did a great job. He can play out of different positions in the team defensively. He was really comfortable when he got his chance in the team. He showed strengths with the football and strengths in defending. He’s the future for the Club and other young players like him.
The players have also had their say, and all three are thrilled.
Leighton Baines explained:
I hope I’m always affiliated with Everton. It’s a huge honour for me to play for the Club for as long as I have and I’m very proud to have been here for as long as I have been.
Holgate also sp0ke well after his extension:
My confidence has grown as I’ve spent more time with the first team. I feel settled now and a proper part of the group. I’ve got all of these people around me, helping me along the way and I just want to continue to learn and grow as a player and do all I can for the Club.
Gareth spoke of his condition ahead of another couple of years in the first team:
They say you can’t buy experience and, for me, it feels so much easier going out on the pitch knowing what I know. Obviously, there’s different sides of the game that are needed, such as energy, but I feel as comfortable on the pitch as I have ever done and a successful team here is something I want to be part of.”
