Lescott commits to Goodison Park March 12 2008
Everton have announced that star defender Joleon Lescott has agreed a new deal which will keep him at Goodison Park until 2012.
The 25-year-old joined the Toffees from Wolves in the summer of 2006 and he has grown to be recognised as one of the most assured young defenders in the Premier League.
Lescott was called up to the England B squad following a successful first campaign at the club before being promoted to the full squad.
The Birmingham-born player, who can play in both central defence and at left-back, made his debut against Estonia in October 2007 - the first of his four caps to date - and was also named in new manager Fabio Capello's first England squad.
Everton boss David Moyes described the deal to keep Lescott on Merseyside for the next four years as "terrific news."
He told the club's official website: "This is really terrific news for everyone connected with the club.
"This continues our policy of securing - on long-term deals - those players who not only represent Everton's present but also its future.
"Since joining us Joleon has more than proved his worth and the fact he is not only happy at Goodison Park but also willing to commit his future to Everton shows that we are most definitely moving in the right direction."
Lescott has played 86 games in all competitions for the Toffees and has also made a vital contribution in front of goal this season, scoring six times in the Premier League and eight times overall.
He has been an integral part of the team's successful season which sees them challenging for a Champions League place, while they will on Wednesday night attempt to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Fiorentina as they bid for a quarter-final spot in the UEFA Cup.
Chairman Bill Kenwright was as delighted as Moyes after concluding negotiations with Lescott.
He said: "We have worked really hard over the past 12 months or so to secure the futures of our brightest and most gifted young players - men like Joleon, Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta, Andy Johnson, Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert.
"Joleon is absolutely delighted to have agreed this new deal. I am delighted for him and also for our supporters who have really taken him to their hearts since his arrival from Wolves."