Seamus Coleman signs new five-year deal at Everton dealing blow to Manchester United and City
Highly-rated Toffees says the club's unwavering support during his injury hell was the deciding factor in his decision
SEAMUS COLEMAN has committed his future to Goodison Park.
The Everton right-back's future looked to be uncertain after suffering a horror leg break while on Republic of Ireland duty.
But Coleman, 28, today put all doubts to bed by signing a new five-year contract at the Toffees.
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He told : “I’m delighted to get this signed.
“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.
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“Farhad Moshiri also sent me cards and said the support was always going to be there.
"I’m delighted with how the club has handled the situation. 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 was a January target for both Manchester United and City.
The Premier League powerhouses had been expected to go back in for him this summer.
Coleman has emerged as one of the top-flight's best full-backs following his £60,000 transfer from Irish side Sligo Rovers in 2009.
He has made 247 appearances in eight years at Goodison Park.
Ambitious Everton are reaching for new heights under moneybags Moshiri, and the management of Ronald Koeman.
They are seventh in the table and Koeman insists his goal is to deliver Champions League football to the club.
Coleman added: "I’m really excited by the way things are going and the players we have signed.
"This season has been good and we’ve got Europa League football next season to look forward to.
"It’s exciting and it’s all about pushing ourselves."
Coleman is not expected to return until 2018. On his injury, he said: "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."