Megan Finnigan has signed a new one-year Everton contract until the end of June 2022, with an option for a further year.

The 23-year-old Blues defender was a mainstay for Willie Kirk’s side last season, featuring in every match across all competitions.

Finnigan also helped Everton secure nine clean sheets in 28 appearances.

An Everton development graduate, Finnigan is looking forward to continuing her path with the club she calls “home”.

“This will be my 15^th year with the Club, it’s all I have ever known. Everton is home for me,” she told evertontv.

“I have got a love for the Club so I couldn’t think of anything better than to extend my time with Everton.

“I have developed a lot over the past couple of seasons, particular since Willie [Kirk] has come in.

“I have more to improve on and I feel Everton is the best place for myself to achieve that.”

Finnigan spoke of the strong relationship she has with manager Kirk and the influence he has had on improving her game.

“To play so many games last season under his management, I felt a sense of trust,” she added.

“That bred a lot of confidence into my game.

“I haven’t experienced that before, but I can use it now as a catalyst to push on.”

Manager Kirk says the young defender has earned this new deal to stay with the Club.

“I spoke about it last season – and to Megan in particular – that last campaign was her best season in an Everton jersey,” he told evertonfc.com.

“She deserves this contract extension.

“I’m really keen to see how she progresses next season.

“She’s hungry to learn and get better.

“Megan has been at the Club for a number of years, yet she’s still so young.

“There’s lots of room for further improvement and she will be challenged again next season, like she has every season that I have been here.

“Megan has risen to that challenge each season.

“It will be good to see where that takes her next year.”

Finnigan scored her first senior goals for Everton last campaign, with headed efforts coming against Bristol City and Arsenal.

Ahead of next season, the central defender is aiming to add more goals to her game.

“Willie has spoken to me about it, that I need to get on the scoresheet more.

“Heading is one of my strengths. Everyone in training knows me for it.

“We do a lot of work on set-pieces in training, in particular the day before a match.

“With the quality in delivery we have within the team, one in five chances we have in a game should be put away.

“When you score the day before in training, it gives you a bit of confidence going into the match.

“It’s something that I’ll continue to work on for next season.”