Everton secure highly rated Davies to five-year deal

Highly rated midfielder Tom Davies has been rewarded for his breakthrough season with a new long-term contract that will keep him at Everton until 2022.

The 18-year-old has played 16 times in the Premier League for Everton this term and established himself as one of the most promising young players in the division.

Davies' speed, tenacity and ability on the ball have all made him a very effective option for manager Ronald Koeman and now looks set to become a vital component of the Dutchman's midfield over the next five years.

Koeman told the club's website: "It's a case of well done, Tom. He is maybe the young player who has improved the most in the last few months.

"He went straight into the team performing at a high level and has kept his feet on the ground.

"We're really happy with his performances and, of course, proud. He's a young player and that's important for the rest of the academy - to show you can make that next step like Tom did and, if that ends with a new contract, it's perfect."

Davies was similarly enthused and hopes he can inspire the next generation of homegrown talent at the club, like Wayne Rooney and Ross Barkley impacted on him.

"It means everything to me to get a chance to be in the Everton first team and to try to stay there," Davies added. "It's an unbelievable feeling.

"Everton has a long tradition of bringing young players through and the incentive has always been there for me to try to progress with the club.

"I used to look at Mikel Arteta and aspire to be out there playing alongside my heroes and, obviously, Wayne Rooney and Ross Barkley who came through the academy here, too, have been inspirational figures for me.

"Hopefully, young players in the Academy now can see how I have been able to progress and make my way to the Everton first team.

"But we all know that the hard work doesn't stop because we want to be part of taking the club to the next level as well."