Naismith signs new Everton deal

, 17 December, 79comments  |  Jump to most recent

Steven Naismith has put pen to paper on a three-year extension to his Everton contract that ties him to the club until 2019.

The 28 year-old is enjoying his best spell at Goodison Park since joining the Toffees on a free transfer in the summer of 2012 and has six goals to his name this season.

The new deal is recognition of his impressive form under Roberto Martinez where he has flourished in a central attacking role behind Romelu Lukaku.

"I am so happy here," the Scot said. "From the moment I signed my first contract here it wasn't long before I saw what a great Club it was. Over the months and years it has progressed into a fantastic move for myself on and off the park. I am delighted to have agreed an extension which will keep me here for a few more years yet. 

"When you come to the last 18 months of your contract, negotiations start happening and it was pretty relaxed and straightforward because I have loved my time here and this season and last season you have seen the best of me; hopefully there's more to come.

"I think I have felt more wanted in recent times than at the start of my Everton career. Confidence has grown, I have put in some good performances and we have had a successful time as a team as well.

"I would say it is probably the best form of my career. I understand the game more, I understand what the manager is wanting from me and I have played in a few different roles and contributed in those roles. It's definitely the most consistent I have been."

 

Reader Comments (79)

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Kunal Desai
1 Posted 17/12/2014 at 22:44:26
Excellent news. Probably the most improved player at the club over the last 18 months/2 years.
Mike Childs
2 Posted 17/12/2014 at 22:43:09
I have a hard time seeing this as forward thinking. Just a guess on my part but I believe itÂ’s all Bill on this signing. Next will be a 10 year contract for Besic.
Patrick Murphy
3 Posted 17/12/2014 at 22:50:07
I think itÂ’s quite a sensible move on behalf of the club - If another team shows interest in him weÂ’ll get a fee for him, if he keeps up his level of performance for us in the next couple of years he will be a valuable asset for the team.

Five years is quite a long time but if you were to try and buy somebody similar to him it would probably cost at least £5m plus wages. He is a good professional and a level-headed person who may still have his best days ahead of him.

Mark Frere
4 Posted 17/12/2014 at 22:52:13
FFS Mike! HeÂ’s only 27 - hardly ready for a zimmer frame just yet! Why is this not forward thinking? And what the fuck has that charlatan BK actually done wrong here?
Kunal Desai
5 Posted 17/12/2014 at 22:56:14
Mark - I guess some people simply cannot be pleased. Whatever next... that McCarthy lad is shite, get rid of him in the summer??!!
Peter Ashley
6 Posted 17/12/2014 at 23:00:31
Great Bit of business that is, Naisy has been one of our better players of late. Always gives 100%.
Barry Earley
7 Posted 17/12/2014 at 23:06:29
Mike @2. What, on earth, is your point? Have you had a tipple as your post makes no sense to me. Naismith extending his contract with us has to be 100% positive surely?
Tom Bowers
8 Posted 17/12/2014 at 23:14:41
Have to like this deal. Nessie has great awareness and is a great link man. If he had a tad more speed he would be just brilliant but on current form is an asset to the Blues. He can bring out the best in Ross Barkley.
Eugene Ruane
9 Posted 17/12/2014 at 23:15:43
Great stuff, well-deserved. He absolutely works his nuts off for the cause, takes no shit and makes things happen. Always happier when I see his name on the team sheet. Plus heÂ’s the closest thing we have to a real narky mouthpiece - something weÂ’ve lacked for years (imo).
Bill Gall
10 Posted 17/12/2014 at 23:17:50
Comes to something when people are complaining about a player given an extended contract who can actually score goals among other assets of his play.
Dave Williams
11 Posted 17/12/2014 at 23:22:35
Marvellous news - I canÂ’t think of anyone who deserves it more. If only everyone had his work ethic and movement.

McCarthy next please Bill!!

Joe O'Brien
12 Posted 17/12/2014 at 23:14:08
Great news. When he was injured recently we missed him massively. DidnÂ’t think weÂ’d ever replace Timmy Cahill but Naisy had taken over IMO. Alot of teams would want a player like Naisy on their books. A intelligent player who doesnÂ’t stop working and always good for a goal.

As for Mike (#2), some people are never ever happy and will always see a negative in a positive.

Gavin Johnson
13 Posted 17/12/2014 at 23:25:06
Great news, IÂ’ve missed him being on the team sheet in his absence. A great professional who always gives 100%. IÂ’m really pleased for the lad that heÂ’s turned things round and established himself as a fan favourite.
Mike Childs
14 Posted 17/12/2014 at 23:32:31
I apologize to Naisy and you guys. IÂ’m wrong... must be my lack of understanding.
Eddie Dunn
15 Posted 17/12/2014 at 23:47:48
Love him- if the rest had his attitude we would win the League.
Tony Doran
16 Posted 17/12/2014 at 23:45:27
Well done to the lad, what he lacks in some of his play he makes up for it with his work rate. Scores goals also.
Trevor Lynes
17 Posted 17/12/2014 at 23:46:10
Great news he is well worth hanging on to.

I had him as a bench occupant when he first came but now he has improved enough to be a valuable asset.

Incidently, Dan Gosling had a good game against Liverpool tonight and has improved tremendously since he went down a division. They look good enough to make the Premier League on tonightÂ’s showing.

Tony J Williams
18 Posted 17/12/2014 at 23:56:03
Worth it just for that photo of him pissing himself laughing and pointing at that Wet Spam player.
Ant Dwyer
19 Posted 18/12/2014 at 00:31:16
Brilliant news, like others have said such a massive improvement over last year or so.

Well deserved

Andrew Presly
20 Posted 18/12/2014 at 00:56:42
HeÂ’s the closest thing to a fan (who can play - not some ambitious p-head) on the pitch.

He changed my mind away at QPR in that tame 1-1 2 years ago, played out wide by Moyesy and he battled hard for us and won everything in the air (hoof era)

SteveÂ’s the unfashionable but necessary #10 for us. .

Terry Murphy
21 Posted 18/12/2014 at 01:07:19
Two years back if you’d laid a bet on Jelavic spluttering along at Hull with Naismith lauded across these pages… any idea what odds would have been offered?
Ben Jones
22 Posted 18/12/2014 at 01:17:29
He’s turned to one of our most important players. May not be the best talented but makes up for it through intelligence and effort. It’s no coincidence when he’s in the team, we win.

Great news. One of the first names in the team sheet and by quite a distance been our best player this season so far.

Keith Edmunds
23 Posted 18/12/2014 at 02:49:22
Can’t help thinking that Jelavic would have done much better for us playing alongside this new improved Naismith.
Matt Traynor
24 Posted 18/12/2014 at 03:07:43
I agree Keith #23. At the time, despite his unfortunate injury history, I thought signing Naismith after the 6 months Jelavic had just had was an inspired move. Jelavic looked like the perfect instinctive striker - having something like 20+ consecutive 1 touch finishes (including Rangers).

Hard to know what happened there, other than to say I now believe in Body Snatchers...

Anto Byrne
25 Posted 18/12/2014 at 05:46:55
Yeah and he cost less than Coleman.
Darryl Ritchie
26 Posted 18/12/2014 at 05:58:07
I personally donÂ’t like to buy jerseys with a playerÂ’s number and name on it, but if I did, it would be #14 with NAISMITH across the back.

Ever since heÂ’s had a go in the middle, NaisyÂ’s been an inspiration. HeÂ’ll give his best wherever heÂ’s played, but the #10 position is where he belongs.

Paul Andrews
27 Posted 18/12/2014 at 06:30:21
IÂ’m very happy at the news. An intelligent player, he makes the best runs of any of our forwards. Watch how much room he makes for other players with his runs.

His goal return is good. And as mentioned above, he has a winning mentality with the aggression to go with it.

Jamie Crowley
29 Posted 18/12/2014 at 07:39:56
I remember Gavin Ramjekas (sp?) saying when we signed him that based upon what a Rangers friend had told him that while at that time everyone was excited about getting Jelavic in, Rangers fans were gutted they lost Naismith. Gavin I believe then pseudo-predicted that in years to come Naismith would be the real coup from Rangers.

Yep, SPOT on.

Happy as a pig in shit with this news. And I hold my hands up - never ever thought I’d say that.

Great team player. Great attitude. A credit to Everton. He’s been a joy playing under Martinez.

Ray Roche
30 Posted 18/12/2014 at 08:10:47
Tony@18, That is possibly the funniest football photo I can remember seeing.
Bob Martin
31 Posted 18/12/2014 at 08:20:40
The main thing about Naismith is he is a fantastic communicator if you watch him off the ball he is always talking to the likes of Lukaku and Barkley and dragging them around the pitch – we really miss him when he’s not there, the energy he brings to the team is worth his new contract.

He will definitely be a Graeme Sharp or a Snods when he hangs his boots up, heÂ’s been touched by the blue and that never leaves you!!

Laurie Hartley
32 Posted 18/12/2014 at 08:21:29
He has earned this. I like the taste of humble pie when an Everton player makes me eat it. Thanks Naisi - can I have some more please.
Phill Thompson
33 Posted 18/12/2014 at 08:31:50
"When you come to the last 18 months of your contract, negotiations start happening ". Great that we’ve got Nessy tied down...... but we should also be sorting Garbutt out if he’s only got about 8 months left on his contract.
Dave White
34 Posted 18/12/2014 at 08:46:46
I thought he was a complete donkey when we signed him. Stevie has proved me (and a lot of others) so wrong!

I’m pleasantly stunned that the lad has become the heart and soul of the team!

Jim Bennings
35 Posted 18/12/2014 at 09:03:23
YESSSSSSS!!

Bit of welcome good news for a change.

Lee Courtliff
36 Posted 18/12/2014 at 09:13:33
Eugene , surely Tim Cahill was a bit of a " narky mouthpiece".

It was one of my favourite things about him. Especially when he spent the Goodison derby oining Carragher back in 2010.

Great news about Naismith. What a turnaround , much better team when he plays.

James Marshall
37 Posted 18/12/2014 at 09:24:13
Naismith - the man should be lauded as a hero for what he does on and off the pitch. Anyone having a pop at him doesn’t know what they’re talking about. See link for evidence of hero status.

Link

Brent Stephens
38 Posted 18/12/2014 at 09:25:01
What’s not to like. Love the guy.

Ray #30 - is that Cyril Fletcher in the photo?

On a serious note, although I love Nais for his battling play and energy (can’t stress that enough; sorely missed when injured), are we extending the contract of a player who Everton see as moving to the bench in a couple of years, as the team gets stronger? or is the vision of the future pretty much as now in terms of team strength?

Sean Kelly
39 Posted 18/12/2014 at 09:26:34
Two years ago like others have said I thought he was shite and thought he should be escorted out of this club. Today I’m glad to see him sign a new deal. He gets others around him to raise their game. Well done Naisy and long may you continue to rove me and others wrong.
Now Robbie next u for new deal must be Macca but not the singer.
Sean Kelly
40 Posted 18/12/2014 at 09:38:45
Sorry Naisy prove not rove
Brian Hennessy
41 Posted 18/12/2014 at 09:31:05
Delighted to hear this.

Some people seemed to forget that when he signed first for us he arrived on the back of a very serious injury, this added to Moyes policy of playing him out of position hindered his early career with us.

But what a player he has now developed into, super finisher, excellent in link up play and incredible in the air for his size.

I actually think he shows more leadership on the field than any other Everton player and constantly communicates with the referee about bad decisions but does so in a good way that never sees him getting booked.

I think he would make an excellent captain...

Max Wilson
42 Posted 18/12/2014 at 09:24:09
How nice you all are! What sweet affectionate plaudits. Does the heart good to read.

Next time I see him fade out of the game because he’s cream crackered, sky a great ball over the stand, fail to get on a killer pass, allow someone to sail past him, fail to read the game, I’ll remember I must not start cursing or conclude he’s very average for this league because you would not like it. 3 more years. How wonderful. So glad you’re all pleased. Perhaps he’ll make a good manager one day.

John Ford
43 Posted 18/12/2014 at 09:41:00
Ah good news this. Nais is a top bloke. I’m sure he won’t do a Gareth Barry, having got his new contract, start on the donuts and take things a bit easy like.
Tom R Owen
44 Posted 18/12/2014 at 09:41:34
Mike 14
It must be, because it is a great move.
Totally agree with you about the 10 year deal for Besic, you know your stuff Mike
Andrew Clare
45 Posted 18/12/2014 at 09:47:17
Good news. Naismith really deserves this.A real asset to the club.
Brian Hennessy
46 Posted 18/12/2014 at 10:04:52
Thank god

When I saw the picture at the top of the page I though he had signed up to work in radio with Chris Evans...

Tony Waring
47 Posted 18/12/2014 at 10:31:19
Max (42 ) – so Naismith is the only player in the premier league who is guilty of all those faults – and the way you put it in virtually every game! Get real, he’s one of the club’s best assets unless you conclude that every one should be a clone of Messi or Beckenbauer!
Sam Morrison
48 Posted 18/12/2014 at 10:48:29
Max that’s a fairly lame response. Sarcasm doesn’t win an argument – and if you really think it does, just read this sentence in a high-pitched whiny voice.
Ian Burns
49 Posted 18/12/2014 at 11:07:27
I would like to mirror the majority of comments on this thread. I held my head in my hands when we bought him and now the team sheet is much weaker without him – great news Nessie.

Now can we PLEASE tie down Garbutt!!

Barry Pearce
50 Posted 18/12/2014 at 11:54:42
Jimmy Mac is the one we want tied down.
Nick West
51 Posted 18/12/2014 at 12:00:07
Great news. Those who think otherwise know nowt....
Jamie Barlow
52 Posted 18/12/2014 at 12:42:09
First name on the teamsheet for me.
Mark Frere
53 Posted 18/12/2014 at 13:42:20
Barry (50)

James McCarthy will still haven 3 years left on his contract at the end of this season. He signed a 5 year contract when we bought him 18 months ago... so there’s no need to panic just yet.

It is the view of some people though, that McCarthy may think he deserves more than the £25 k a week he’s currently getting, as the likes of Lukaku and Baines are on £70 k a week.

I, personally, are never in favour of extending a players contract when he has 3 1/2 years left on it. I think we should be waiting until his last 2 years. It is tough balance though keeping a player happy and handing out big lucrative contracts like candy.

Mike Childs
54 Posted 18/12/2014 at 13:53:13
Tom #44 thanks for the backhanded compliment I deserved it.
Denis Richardson
55 Posted 18/12/2014 at 15:14:16
Great news as he’s been one of the better players for us this season and seems a down to earth type who gives you 150% every game.

Length of contract is fine as he’s only just turned 28 so he’ll stil be ’just’ 32 when this contract comes to and end. Also I cannot see him being on massive wages so good news all round.

His contract was up in 2016 so its not too early to extend it.

Scott Williams
56 Posted 18/12/2014 at 17:56:31
IÂ’m happy with that. I didnÂ’t like him when he first came. But since Bobby plays him correctly he has been awesome. And the lad wins 9/10 headers in the air!
David Edwards
58 Posted 18/12/2014 at 22:00:29
First post for a while - but needed to add my approval for a new contract for Naismith. A much improved player who we miss when he’s not in the team. May not be the most technical, but in terms of effort, graft, positioning and vision, he’s a real asset. Put that together with his great off-field efforts with less advantaged fans and his down to earth nature - and he really is a true blue. Any negatively on this post, tongue-in-cheek or not, is not justified. Let’s save our natural cynicism for a real target, not Stevie!
Gareth Rees
59 Posted 18/12/2014 at 22:46:15
I think we play much better with this man in the team; he also seems a great guy off the pitch. I’m very happy he is staying.
Harold Matthews
60 Posted 18/12/2014 at 22:09:00
David Edwards. Cheers mate. You’ve said it all for me.
Colin Williams
61 Posted 19/12/2014 at 04:37:47
"Much improved player" do me a favour! What improvements? Please donÂ’t say fitness.... This guy is lucky to play Premier League football and the sad thing is, we have a few more like him!
Paul Andrews
62 Posted 19/12/2014 at 07:00:37
Naismith is much improved in his all round game, Colin. He is also a one-in-two goal scorer this season. A fantastic scoring ratio for a player in his position.

You say " the guy is lucky to play Premier League football" — I think every club below the top 4 or 5 would sign him on a free transfer if he became available.

Jamie Crowley
63 Posted 19/12/2014 at 08:00:22
Colin - lucky???!!!

He’s worked his balls off and deserves every accolade he gets.

When he plays I always point out his effort and tell my kids THAT’S the way to play the game.

Oh, and he’s a role model to boot with his philanthropic work.

Aidy Dews
64 Posted 19/12/2014 at 09:11:29
It’s a good move by the club and Naismith deserves it! He’s massively improved under Martinez and getting a run in his favoured position and with him in the team we do actually look more threatening in the final third.

He may not be as technically gifted or skilled as the likes of Mirallas and Barkley but he grafts and is a good link-up player. He has good movement, has a knack of getting into good positions to possibly score and is becoming a great asset to us.

I can’t see why people wouldn’t be all that happy about this deal? We got him for nothing and he’s come in and made a big contribution and is a valuable squad member. You need players like him in your squad imo; it’s all well and good having your silky skilled players but sometimes they don’t want to do the dirty work, yet Naisy will run himself into the ground for us and give us a goal threat.

It’s a good move, he’s a decent player and a good lad and he’ll work his bollocks off for the club.

Steven Jones
65 Posted 19/12/2014 at 09:43:34
I feel the need to correct one or two people that do not seem to appreciate his technique and technical skills: being able to control at pace, under pressure with vision, appreciation of defenders, space, team members and where they are on the pitch. Nais in this context is perhaps the most technical.

Nais is arguably the best finisher on the pitch, his movement and appreciation of space is a highly technical gift.

Similar to Inchy he cannot be tracked easily by his highly technical movement.

This is a great news story ... and as Nais has been out a couple of weeks we lose that pace and fluidity in the number 10 position.

Nais will improve further over the next couple of years as – and what an inspiration to the youth players.

I have not mentioned his fitness levels, his pressing, closing down and energy he brings nor his off field activity which is one hell of an asset for the clubs PR and overall brand as the PeopleÂ’s Club.

Mike Hughes
66 Posted 19/12/2014 at 10:35:22
I’m a big fan of Naismith and predicted he’d get into double goals for the season this year. Still in with a chance. He’s hard-working, improving and has an eye for the goal. Also, he didn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Contrast that to the following article on the BBC website which rates the majority of Brenda’s signings (£175million) as money down the drain.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30516598

Mike Hughes
67 Posted 19/12/2014 at 10:38:12
...I meant double figures, not double goals (though they’ll be fine as well).
Tony J Williams
68 Posted 19/12/2014 at 10:34:18
You must have read my mind Steven.

I was thinking that quite a few posters are almost being quite patronising to him.

"He tries hard!", he does a hell of a lot more than that he is joint second in our scoring chart, what with having to sit out the last few games.

It is his technical movement that makes his goals and his technical ability to win the majority of the upfield punts.

His is also a little narky bastard, which this team desperately needs

Paul Andrews
69 Posted 19/12/2014 at 17:07:23
ItÂ’s great to see the positive comments re Naisy. He is rapidly becoming a fans favourite, and rightly so.

Not the most talented of players with the ball at his feet, but his winning, aggressive mentality and determination more than makes up for it. Add his goal return and it is a no-brainier to extend his contract.

Lev Vellene
70 Posted 19/12/2014 at 20:37:18
I used to be worried about Naismith being on the team, he was here, or there, or wherever...

But now I usually cheer his inclusion in the team setup, especially if I can see hi, being placed somewhere central!

IÂ’m a lazy batardo, but if I had one like that on my team every day, IÂ’d bust my guts just to get him retired!!!

I love Naisy for his participation, gung-ho involvance and sheer guts/pleasue trying/doing his best, even if he isnÂ’t Roonaldo... ;D

I should think our youngsters will latch onto him as a prime example of what we all want and need! Even if theyÂ’re not quite there yet!

For the bitchers, WHO instead? Game after game, doing his all?

Dominic Tonge
71 Posted 20/12/2014 at 00:07:29
Colin #61, Naismith agrees with you. ThatÂ’s one of the things he said when asked about him donating match tickets, he has improved though, although saying that he did bag either a brace or hatrick in his debut. (Well his first game anyway.... Athens pre season I think, might have made that up...)

Anyway.... point is, he has improved his game since his arrival and a run in the team in his favoured position allowed him to shine; but he didnÂ’t moan about not playing, or being played out of position before that. He got his head down, worked hard and also in his spare time, did a fair amount of charity work. CanÂ’t really knock the lad.

Colin Williams
73 Posted 20/12/2014 at 18:02:00
Please can you put in my comments! Like everyone !!!!
Colin Williams
74 Posted 20/12/2014 at 20:20:33
Paul.....Good player that Naismith! NOT! (be careful what you wish 4)
Mike Price
75 Posted 22/12/2014 at 20:11:22
Ridiculous and unnecessary contract to a very average trier. A Martinez contract handing out bonanza is the most worrying thing I've seen for decades...all the players are crap and are getting long deals. Where's the pace, skill and youth we all hoped for?
Jamie Barlow
76 Posted 22/12/2014 at 20:23:04
You watch a different Naismith to me every week Mike. One thing you can't accuse him of is him being a very average trier.

As I said earlier. He'd be the first name on the team sheet for me as he's the only player we have who gives it to the opposition. Ruffles a few feathers. He's not a bad player either.

Mike Price
77 Posted 22/12/2014 at 20:33:11
Jamie, I know he puts the expected effort in and does his best to irritate the opposition. I just think he's a very limited player, not very big, not very aggressive, not very fast, not very skillful, just not very good. Lower premier standard but more of a championship or SPL player for me....and 2019....really!!?
Dave Lynch
78 Posted 22/12/2014 at 20:36:38
You obviously haven't been watching us lately Mike.

If Naismith is an average trier, fuck knows what the rest of the team are?

Mike Price
79 Posted 22/12/2014 at 20:45:04
Never miss a match Dave. He does the bare minimum in terms of effort, the fact he's standing out in any way, is an indictment of the rest of them. He's barely average in my opinion and I don't think there's a long list of decent teams trying to pry him away from us....so why the contract to 2019!?
Dean Adams
80 Posted 22/12/2014 at 20:42:34
If the other 10 EFC players on the pitch put in the effort that Naisy does, we would be top 4 right now. Our failings this season have been due to our lack of commitment. The players are good enough but something is not working. For me Ditin was good enough but is sliding away along with Barry who is no longer consistant. Pienaar has lost his legs and Eto who is a great player is not able to play from the start.
When Bobby gets to grips with this he has the players to step in. Why on earth is Oviedo not getting on the pitch in our problematic left mid position? Stones is fit, play him. McCarthy and Besic in the engine room with Ross or Naisy in the hole. Mirallas on the right wide, swapping with Oviedo when needed. Lukaku getting service so his £28m tag can be shown as excellent value. WE have winners, so Bobby play them.
Colin Williams
81 Posted 23/12/2014 at 01:06:03
Mike, your spot on with your assessment of Naismith. The most overrated player at club. DonÂ’t get it! If Nais is rated that much by blues, feck we are in trouble!!

People talk about his best position as a no10! Well! If thatÂ’s what some people think! WeÂ’re fecked! IÂ’ve never seen a player further away from playing that specialist position.

The only place Nais would/ could, maybe really so some good, would be playing high up on blind side of defenders and playing as a striker. But, again there is much better about.

Bobby Thomas
82 Posted 23/12/2014 at 01:35:56
Very good squad player, nothing wrong in getting him tied down for his best years.

Now, as for the Barry contract........


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