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Everton have concluded negotiations over new long-term deals for midfield duo Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill.
The players have agreed new five year deals with the Blues, tying them to the club until 2012.
Both players had three years remaining on their existing deals but the Blues were keen to further extend their contracts and reward the duo for the success they have achieved at Goodison in recent seasons.
Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright is delighted to have concluded the negotiations.
He told evertonfc.com: "David Moyes and myself were keen to get these important extensions wrapped up before the new season opens. We did it in the Everton Way - quietly, efficiently and away from the glare of the spotlight.
"Negotiations have been ongoing for several weeks and have now been satisfactorily concluded ancd I know the two lads are as happy as we are."
The formalities of the new deals are set to be completed next week, with David Moyes and the majority of his senior squad returning to pre-season training on Monday.
Between them, Arteta and Cahill have monopolised the official Everton Player of the Season award in recent years, with the Aussie free-scoring midfielder receiving it in 2005 and the Spanish playmaker picking up the accolade in each of the last two seasons.
Cahill is currently preparing for the Asia Cup with Australia after recovering from a broken foot.
Arteta will report back at Bellefield for pre-season training next week.
Everton boss David Moyes was delighted with Arteta's impact for the Blues last term as the club secured UEFA Cup qualification courtesy of their sixth place finish in the Premiership.
Moyes said: "We are delighted with how he has done. He has played really, really well. We like his skills and ability but he has grown into the team ethic that we have here and I think that has been the reason he has done so well."
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Andrew Scarfo
fantastic news!!! hopefully with these two signed on for five years will attract bigger and better players! Well done ken and David!
Agree with Andrew?
Monday 2nd Jul 2007 22:51