Naysmith delighted with new Toffees deal

Gary Naysmith has signed a new three-year deal with Everton to keep him at Goodison park until 2008.

The 26-year-old defender, who joined the club in 2000 for £1.5million from Hearts, was part of the side that qualified for next season's Champions League.

He told the club's website, evertonfc.com: "I'm delighted to be finally signing because it's been a long time coming.

"The negotiations began last summer but for one reason or another things never got done. It all got left until the end of the season and if I'm being completely truthful, 50% of me thought that I would have to leave.

"But the negotiations went well and thankfully everything has now been sorted."
He added: "I've said all along that I wanted to stay at the club.

"I've really enjoyed my four-and-a-half years here and this is my club. It's the longest spell I've ever had at a club as a first-team player.

"I'm settled in the area, so are my wife and children, so I didn't want to move away. I'm delighted that it's come to the conclusion that I always wanted."