Jarrad Branthwaite signs new four-year deal with Everton despite receiving interest from Man United who considered a January move for the defender

Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new four-year contract with Everton. The defender has been rewarded for positive performances since returning from a seasonal rental with PSV last season.

The 21-year-old, who joined the club from hometown Carlisle United in 2020 for just £1m, has been a mainstay in Sean Dyche’s backline alongside James Tarkowski in recent weeks.

Mail Sport reported on Wednesday that the defender was closing in on a new deal and Branthwaite has now been rewarded with a new contract at Goodison Park ahead of a crucial match with Bournemouth on Saturday.

It comes after Mail Sport also revealed how Branthwaite was on Manchester United’s radar for the January transfer window as they consider a move for a new centre-back.

“The status of the club, how much of a family it is at Everton and how much I enjoy playing here in front of the fans were the main reasons for signing,” said Branthwaite. ‘Signing this new contract was to show my commitment and how much it means to me to play for Everton.

‘Since I became a member, I have felt connected to the club. The fans have been very good to me. For the first game I played, the cheers I got when my name was read gave me a ton of confidence to go out and play my best game.”

Everton hosts Bournemouth have lost every home game in the Premier League this season, scoring just one goal. But Sean Dyche said of Branthwaite: ‘We made it clear we wanted him to come back in pre-season and do what he does for us.

‘Because you can only tell so much through a screen, because the stories we heard were very positive. He missed some of the preparation, which is a shame, to get him really fit, but he has come into the team and has done well.

“He still has a lot to learn, no overcoaching, but there are some tips I’ve given him and some reminders as he matures as a centre-half and I think he’s a very good player. I think he will continue to perform as long as he continues to work hard.”

Branthwaite played for PSV in the Dutch Eredivisie and was pleased that Dyche was consistently on the phone to check on his progress. “I think it shows the type of person he is that he calls me while I was on loan to another team,” he added on Dyche.

‘It shows the care he has for the players and how he wants everyone together as a team. When I came back to the club we had a chat and it was about if I train as hard as I can and show the quality I have, I will get a chance.

‘In the matches I played, I gave everything and performed at a good level. I think once the points come our way, which our performances have earned more of, we can move up as well.

‘Last season I went to PSV and played 30 games and I have improved a lot as a player, so I think the more games I play, the better I get. The best way to improve is to keep playing as many games as possible, keep training hard and listen to the manager.’

Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell said: ‘Jarrad is an excellent player with huge potential and his new contract is well deserved given the way he has played for us so far this season, after gaining important experience on loan at PSV last season. had gained.

“It’s a huge boost for Everton to have a young player of Jarrad’s talent commit his long-term future to the Club. His performances so far this season have impressed everyone and provided a glimpse of his exciting potential.”