Everton youngster Dowell gets a contract extension

Everton’s rising star Kieran Dowell has signed a new contract, which extends his term at the Blues until the summer of 2019.

The Ormskirk-born midfielder made his senior team debut came in the Europa League against FC Krasnodar in 2014. His full debut in the Premier League in the end of April 2016, beating AFC Bournemouth 2-1. His Leading up to that game, he had made the headlines after scoring a handful of spectacular goals for David Unsworth’s U21s (like this goal, and this goal, there’s also this goal, and even this goal) - Dowell ended the season with 11 goals.

Dowell has been with Everton since the age of seven, and was quick to thanks his coaches for his development. Here are his comments to evertontv -

"It’s a huge day for me and I’m delighted. I found out it might happen at the end of the season, then I’ve come back from a holiday and it was all ready to be sorted.

"You could say it’s just the beginning. All the work you put in during your time with the Academy is towards getting your first professional contract, but this really makes me feel like part of the team.

"At moments like this, whether it’s signing a contract or making your first appearances for the Club, you look back and wonder if you’d be here without your family, friends and especially the staff here. I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve all done for me so far."

Speaking about his Premier League appearances -

"It was the best and the worst time for me at the end of last season because I didn’t want it to end!

"Unsy obviously started me in the final game and I can’t thank him enough for that.

"I think it helped having David Unsworth in charge, and John Ebbrell, Joe Royle and Duncan Ferguson involved, too. I didn’t feel as much pressure as I thought I would because there were so many familiar faces and it just felt like business as usual.

"I had a good pre-season last year and then picked up an injury. All the staff were really good with me, because they could have just left me in the Under-21s for the rest of the season.

"They didn’t and they always pushed me towards the first team. I'm really grateful for that and hope now to keep kicking on."

Club chairman Bill Kenwright also commented on the player’s extension -

"I'm really pleased for Kieran... and for Everton. This contract demonstrates not only his great potential but also the quality of David Unsworth and our Academy coaches.

"Like every Evertonian, myself, Farhad and the Board are hugely excited with the talent we've got coming through at Finch Farm. Good luck Kieran in what I'm sure will be a terrific career."