Ireland captain Seamus Coleman signs new five-year deal at Everton

Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman has signed a new five-year contract with Everton that will keep him at Goodison Park until the summer of 2022.

The full-back is currently on the long-term injured list after sustaining a double leg fracture in March's World Cup qualifier against Wales in Dublin.

The deal was agreed between the club and Coleman's representatives before the international break and the horrific tackle from Wales' Neil Taylor that left him requiring surgery.

Chairman Bill Kenwright contacted Coleman within hours of him sustaining the injury in order to assure him the offer was still on the table.

“I’m delighted to get this signed,” Coleman told evertontv. “I’ve been here for a long time and it’s a special Club that means a lot to me.

“Everything had been agreed and I was due to sign it after the international break but unfortunately I got the injury.

“The Chairman messaged me the night of my injury and said, ‘Don’t worry about it because when you come back this contract is still waiting for you’. That sums up what the Chairman and this Club is all about.

“Knowing that I was going to come back and sign it has definitely helped things. It’s a massive boost and gives me something to fight for.

“I want to prove my worth when I come back and show the Club were right for rewarding me with this long-term contract.”

Coleman joined Everton in 2009 from Sligo Rovers for an initial fee of around €65,000, which later rose to roughly €400,000 with performance-related add-ons.

“I think I’ve been very lucky with the Club that I moved over from Ireland to join,” Coleman added.

“I left my family back home and I joined another family over here. There have been ups and downs in my playing career - like everything - but thankfully the Club reward you when you are doing well.

“This was an important contract. I’m at a good age now and I think the Club are showing good ambition and going in the right direction, so it’s really exciting.”

Coleman was made Ireland captain at the beginning of the current campaign having deputised on numerous occasions, including the crucial Euro 2016 ties with Italy and France.

And he gave an update on the progress from his broken leg, which will likely see him miss the rest of the qualifying campaign.

“It’s a case of not doing too much too soon – it’s just baby steps at the moment - but I am getting on well so far,” he added.

“I’m starting to put more weight through the leg and I have got no pain. I’m back doing a good bit in the gym and in the pool.

“I’m doing exercise every day, so the recovery has well and truly started. I’m really looking forward to putting on that Blue shirt again.”