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Tim Howard rewarded with Everton contract extension

By on April 17, 2014

US Mens national team goalkeeper Tim Howard might already be 35 years of age, yet his commanding form in the Everton goal has given The Toffes a massive hand in their push for Champions League football and rewarded him with a new two-year contract extension. Having kept 13 clean sheets from 33 Premier League appearances so far this season Howard has put Everton on par with Arsenal, Manchester City, and West Ham United in the number of total clean sheets kept in 2013/14, while also helping the club have the league’s second lowest goals conceded tally at just 34 from 34 matches. Howard has appeared in all but one of those 34 matches, thus earning his reward in the extension that will keep him at Goodison Park until 2018.

The new deal, adds two more years to his current deal, which would have kept him tied down to Everton until 2018, and should he complete the extension, would keep him at the club past his 39th birthday. The former New York Red Bulls ‘keeper could also become one of Everton’s eight players to make more than 450 appearances for the club with the new deal – he has already appeared 343 times for the English side since joining the club in 2006. Originally he joined Roberto Martinez’s side on loan from Manchester United, but after a solid season on loan at the club they signed him on a permanent deal in the summer of 2007 for a fee reported to be around the £3 million mark. This, though, is a small sum considering what could become twelve years of consistency in goal from Howard.

While Howard is yet to win a title with Everton, his safe hands in goal for the club have lead to him establishing himself as the US Mens national team’s starting goalkeeper. The six-foot-three-inch ‘keeper has been in the US’ squad at two World Cup’s, the 2006 and 2010 tournaments, and will almost certainly retain his position as the country’s No1 at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Howard also played a major role in the US’ surprise demolition of Spain in the 2009 Confederation’s Cup, in which the US reached the final, only to lose to Brazil. Meanwhile, Everton manager Martinez praised the goalkeeper for his vital contribution to Everton’s Champions League hopes this season. The Spanish manager said of Howard: “He has been vital to our overall achievements. It’s not just about his performances. As a goalkeeper, you have a big say about what happens in your own goal and to keep the amount of clean sheets that we have this season – which is already two more than last season when we had very good numbers defensively – is impressive.

“Then you see his human values and the way he affects youngsters; he is the perfect role model for our football club. We have a good group of young goalkeepers who can follow that sort of example and that is why it’s so significant he has agreed to stay with Everton for a long, long period.”

Martinez went on to describe Howard as “at the peak of his powers”, “phenomenal”, and a “unique role model”, the highest praise for one of Europe’s best goalkeepers and a constant giver back to his community.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.