Everton have confirmed that Lewis Gibson has signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract.
And the 19-year-old defender has also completed a loan move to Fleetwood Town.
Gibson's new deal, which keeps him at Goodison until June 2022, comes after a series of talks in recent weeks with the young defender was keen for a pathway to be mapped out for him.
A plan for his Everton future was agreed with the first stage a loan spell with the ambitious League One outfit until the end of the season.
A second loan, likely to be at a higher level, will be secured in the summer before Gibson returns to the first-team fold under Carlo Ancelotti.
“I’ve had a few conversations with Marcel over the past few months and the chats went well,” Gibson told evertontv.
“He explained his plans for me and plans for the club and they excited me so I couldn’t wait to sign.
“I feel I’ve developed massively since I joined the club.
“David Unsworth’s been big for me. He’s taught me things that I wouldn’t have got at other clubs.
“He knows my ability and he puts trust in my ability. He pushes me to be better and I thank him for that.
“I’ve developed physically since I’ve been here. And, although I’ve had some bad luck with a couple of injuries, I’ve come through them and feel I’m more mentally strong and a better player.”
