Katia Kouyate has agreed a new two-year contract with Everton, the Under-21s striker penning a deal until the end of June 2024.
The 19-year-old from Manchester joined Everton Academy aged eight and broke into the Under-21s team two seasons ago, having featured regularly for Paul Tait’s Under-18s.
A dynamic attacker who possesses impressive speed, skill and power, Kouyate praised every aspect of the Blues’ Academy for his progression as he revealed his determination to deliver every time he plays for Everton.
“This new contract is massive for me and gives me confidence to keep working hard and giving my all,” Kouyate told evertontv.
“I’ve had a few injuries the past couple of years but for the Club to show this faith in me with a new contract means the world to me and my family.
“The support I’ve had at Everton has been massive, both psychologically and physically. The coaches and physios have been great with me and I’ve had a psychologist to make sure I stay in a good mental state which is important these days to keep on top of your mental health. The more you’re able to speak about that, I think it helps you on the pitch as well as off it.
“I feel like I owe it to the Club every time I put the shirt on to produce a bit of magic.”
Kouyate is back playing for Tait again after his appointment as Under-21s Head Coach this summer.
The forward also had a taste of training with Frank Lampard’s First-Team squad during the international break and admits that has fuelled his determination to become a regular with the senior squad in the future.
“Taity knows what sort of player I am and what I have to offer,” he added. “He pushes me all the time, including when I’ve not been at my best, so it feels really good to be working with him again.
“I’d like to say I’m a direct and exciting forward. I like to take people on, make runs in behind and both provide and score goals. My aim is to improve my understanding of the game, my positioning and my shooting with my weaker foot.
“My main priority this season is to get back into the Under-21s starting team and then, in the future, get myself in and around the First Team.
“It was massive to get a chance to train with them recently. It was great to see the difference between the level I am at now and the likes of Dimi [Gray] and Maupay to see where I need to go to to take my game to the next level. Now I’ve been there, I want to strive to get back there.”
Everton Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell, said: “We are pleased to agree this new contract with Katia who continues to progress and develop as a striker.
“Having had valuable time recently learning from our senior players in training, we now hope he can push on under the guidance of Paul Tait in what is a talented Under-21s squad.”
