Beni Baningime has pledged his future to Everton with a new four-year deal.
Baningime made his first-team debut in the Blues’ Carabao Cup exit to Chelsea in October and has gone on to enjoy a further 11 appearances this season.
The midfielder, 19, extends his stay at Goodison Park until June 2022, having joined the club aged eight after moving to England from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He went on to play a key role in Everton’s under-23 side capturing the Premier League 2 title last season before making a step-up to the first-team this summer.
“I’m really happy to sign a new contract and so proud because it represents what I’ve always wanted – which is to be around the first team and fighting for my place,” said Baningime.
“This club means a lot to me because I’ve been here from a young age. It’s where I want to be and I’m so thankful to everyone at the club who has helped me get to this point.
“Hopefully this season is the first of many years of me being involved in the Everton first team.
“I’m determined to keep developing and to speak to everyone I can in order to keep improving my game.
“I speak to the manager, Duncan [Ferguson], Craig Shakespeare, Sammy Lee – just anything I can do to improve my game. Duncan’s very good with me.
“Sometimes we do a bit of passing after we train. To me, this shows they’ve got faith in me and they want me to do well.”