Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new contract with the club until June 2027 in a behind-the-scenes coup from Everton and Sean Dyche.
The Toffees confirmed on their official website (October 6) that the academy star has signed a four-year contract at Goodison Park with an additional option to extend for a further year if both parties wish.
The Dutch club attempted to sign the 21-year-old permanently before he came back to Goodison Park, while there was interest from Liverpool in January.
Such is Branthwaite’s extraordinary potential, it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see those clubs return to the table had his contract situation not been addressed, with Dyche recently remaining tight-lipped on the situation (Liverpool Echo, 28 September).
Also, Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards speaking on Transfer Gossip Daily podcast (27 September) warned that the Toffees’ financial problems could have meant that the England U-21 international was a player the Toffees “may have to sell” over the next year or so which will have proven a damaging loss.
But Everton have certainly moved quickly and astutely to tie him down to a new long-term contract and with reports from The Athletic (6 October) sharing that there is no release clause and it’s actually a five-year deal in reality, Dyche has now only gone and pulled off an absolute masterstroke.
With so much uncertainty at Goodison Park, regarding onfield and off-field matters, the Finch Farm academy graduate could well have been inclined to seek pastures new but such is his character, mentality and maturity, he’s decided to stick it out and potentially become one of the leading figures of this hopeful new Everton era.
The England under-21 international has proven every bit an Everton player with his superb and matured performances alongside James Tarkowski at the heart of the defence so far this season, starting five of Everton’s seven matches whilst recording 2.0 interceptions, 2.2 tackles, 9.0 balls recovered, 3.8 clearances, winning 63% of his total duels and excelling tremendously in the air winning 59% of his aerial duels [SofaScore
].