'A major statement of intent'

Everton will have to do plenty of deals in the remainder of the transfer window with so many players leaving at the end of their contracts and the squad in urgent need of improvement.

Jarrad Branthwaite's decision to sign a new long-term deal will, however, rank alongside any business as the most significant of the summer.

The 23-year-old central defender has been outstanding in the last two seasons and the prospect of Branthwaite leaving was a hot topic of discussion among Everton fans.

The fact that he has agreed to stay is a major statement of intent by the club and also a reflection on the ambition of new owners, The Friedkin Group, who want to demonstrate this is a new era of ambition for Everton as they prepare to move into their new state-of-the-art stadium next season.