Everton midfielder James Garner hopes to be part of the club "for a long time" after signing a new long-term deal on Friday. 

Garner, who joined from Manchester United in September 2022, has signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract to keep him with the Toffees until 2030. 

Since the 24-year-old's arrival on Merseyside, he has made 109 appearances across all competitions, scoring five goals and providing seven assists for his team-mates. 

Only three players have won possession more often in the Premier League this season than Everton's Garner (114).

Garner had been linked with a return to Old Trafford, but he told Everton's official website: "I'm really excited to commit my future to Everton. 

"I'm very grateful for all the support and all the love I've had over the past three and a half years, but it's just the start.

"I've seen the progress we've made recently. Now I want to be part of that progress and get us back to where the club deserves to be.

"I feel like I'm now a part of the club, and I'm hoping to be a part of it for a long time.

"I've got family members who are all Evertonians, so I know exactly the passion and, like I've just said, what it means to play for such a massive football club like this."

Garner produced a superb display during Everton's recent victory over Aston Villa, a result that moved them up to 10th in the Premier League table. 

He won possession 14 times against Unai Emery's team, the most by a Toffees player in a game since March 2024 (Amadou Onana vs West Ham, also 14).

And in his pre-match press conference before Everton's clash with Leeds United on Monday, David Moyes revealed he shared a little joke with England boss Thomas Tuchel, who was in attendance at Villa Park. 

"I told Thomas [Tuchel after the Villa game] that James was Scottish, really, and that I'd be surprised if he could play for England," Moyes said.

"His name sounds Scottish, so that was it. We had a chat about a few things.

"[Tuchel] has been at a couple of games that we've won narrowly, so he's a wee bit of a club mascot at the moment."