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Amidst a summer of uncertainty for Irish players at English clubs, Séamus Coleman’s future at Everton is secure until June 2023 after signing a one-year contract extension.
“I’m very happy - everyone around the football club and I’m sure all the fans know how much this club has meant to me from day one,” said Coleman. “Discussions with Marcel [Brands, the Everton director of football], the board and the manager were straightforward.
“It’s also not something that I just wanted to be given as a charity. I worked very hard last season and thought I did quite well in the games that I did play in.”
Coleman, who moved to Merseyside from Sligo Rovers in 2009 for €60,000 and is currently one game shy of 300 Premier League appearances, already had the unqualified support of new manager Rafa el Benítez.
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“Since I have been here, I have been talking with Séamus so many times,” said Benítez. “He is an inspiration for everyone. He is a very good professional. He is very helpful for me. He can be a key player. I like him as a player and as a person.”
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright was equally gushing in praise of his club captain: “Since his man of the match performance on his Premier League debut almost 12 years ago, he has displayed all the qualities Evertonians love - skill, passion, determination, and an unrelenting desire to win.
“It takes a lot to become thought of as a legend at Everton but Séamus is right up there with the very best.”
The 32-year-old is due to lead the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup qualifier against Portugal on September 1st but other veterans, James McCarthy and Robbie Brady, are more focused on finding new clubs before the season starts on August 6th.
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