[Liam]

RODWELL SIGNS DEAL

Jack Rodwell has signed a professional deal with Everton.

The defender made his Premier League debut at Sunderland earlier this month and put pen to paper on a two-year deal just days after his 17th birthday.

The length of the deal is the maximum permitted for a player of his age.

The Birkdale-born youngster has been enjoying his time with the first team squad and is hoping to be further involved this season.

Rodwell told evertonfc.com: "I'm really pleased to get it signed, I have just been waiting for my 17th birthday.

"It was a really good week, making my debut then signing the contract - and there was my birthday as well!

"It's been good being around the first team recently, they are all top quality players and it's great to be involved."

With the contract signed, Jack is keen to carry on his progress over the coming months.

He added: "I just want to stay around (the first team) as much as I can and play if I am needed.

"Then hopefully I'll have a good pre-season and go from there next season."

Source.

I'm not sure when they changed the rule but when Rooney turned 17, he signed a five year deal with us. We've got Jack here for at least two years and in them two years I'd expect him too take over Lee Carsleys role as our defensive midfielder and establish himself in our first team. He's made appearances against both Alkmaar and Sunderland & in both games looked very much as if he can hack it with some smart touches. I posted a topic about him on the 26th November last year, saying he'd make it one day and he has. Moyes said as soon as he could get him tied down he would, because Jack is one of the brightest prospects in European football. He's attracted interest from Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona no less - so it's fantastic that he is here.

You'll see in two years when it comes to signing his next contract if he is committed or not, but the lad comes across as if he's got his head screwed on. We're a growing side and this lad could be a world class player in a few years.

[DannyJ]

Great news this, I'm sure he will feature alot more next season.

[Dav]

Excellent.

[Thornhill]

Fantastic News for everton. It atleast, if nothing else, measn the likes of Arsenal and United can't snap him up for free.

[Dar-batov]

Last time I heard, he rejected the likes of us to stay with them. So he's intelligent enough to know he'll get better playing time with Everton than at one of the top clubs. I respect him for that.

[tutty]

Could this lad be as good as Micah Richards?

[malephar]

this is nice to see, and if he is as good as he sounds then it will be good news for everton too
everton have come on a lot in the last few years and if they want to continue to progress then they need to keep hold of whatever prospects they have coming through the ranks
i wonder would they have let rooney go so easily if he had arrived now
hopefully in a couple of years the everton board will show enough ambition to keep hold of this guy

[Liam]

We have a young lad called Moses Barnett who was signed from Arsenal, he is a right back but can also play left back and is being 'touted' as the new Micah Richards. He is an England under 19s regular and has received a professional contract offer.

Although Rodwell, by trade is centre half he can also play centre mid and I think Moyes sees his position at the moment as the long term replacement for Lee Carsley in defensive midfield.

[ThisCharmingMan]

Great news, good a great name too