Rodwell signs new Everton deal

(GETTY IMAGES)

Highly-rated Everton youngster Jack Rodwell has signed a new five-year contract at Goodison Park.

The 17-year-old midfielder, who scored his first senior goal in last weekend's FA Cup fifth-round win over Aston Villa, is now committed to the club until 2014.

A product of the club's Academy, Rodwell has made 13 appearances this season including seven starts.

Manager David Moyes, who handed Rodwell his debut last season, told the club's website, www.evertonfc.com: "When we get good young players, we want to sign them up and keep them here. That's always the way that we have gone about it.

"Jack has got a long way to go and it wasn't ideal that we had to pitch him in at the start of the season - we threw him in at the deep end.

"He played well in those games at times but we took him away from it for a while to give him a break and let him see what it's all about.

"But when he came back in against Liverpool he looked really good and he made a big contribution against Aston Villa. The signs from him were positive."