Jordan Pickford will commit his future to Everton this week after the club reached agreement on a new long-term contract.
The England international, who last week eclipsed Sir Gordon Banks in setting a new record for consecutive clean sheets for his country, last renewed terms with Everton in 2023 – that deal runs to June 2027.
But it has long been Everton’s ambition to revamp Pickford’s contract – they began to speak to his representatives four weeks ago and were determined to get matters concluded quickly.
Everton have been of the opinion that there isn’t another goalkeeper on the market who could do for them what Pickford does and it made economic sense to investment in his consistency and excellence.
The 31-year-old cost Everton a then British record £30million for a goalkeeper, when he joined from Sunderland in June 2017, but that business has proven to be increasingly shrewd.
What a signing he has proven to be. He made his 300th Premier League appearance for the club earlier this month and the fee that was invested in him was arguably the finest piece of business done during an era of largesse, when Farhad Moshiri was the majority shareholder.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has been in fine form for Everton over a number of seasons
Pickford will win his 80th cap for England in Latvia on Tuesday, looking for another clean sheet
The experienced Pickford hands out advice to England team-mates in the win against Wales
Getting Pickford’s future secured is a key part of The Friedkin Group’s strategy and will follow on new deals for James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite – as well as indicating their ambitions.
As one of the leadership group, which also includes Seamus Coleman and Tarkowski, Pickford is responsible for setting the tone and it is widely acknowledged within Finch Farm that he is someone who takes an interest in the well-being of others, making sure they are looked after.
James Garner, the young midfielder who has started the season in outstanding form, will be the next member of the squad whose terms are renegotiated. His current deal runs out at the end of the campaign.
