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EPL Premier League Action Jan Kruger/Getty Images James Tarkowski has signed a two-year contract extension with Everton. The centre-half’s previous deal was due to expire at the end of the current season but he has agreed fresh terms to keep him with the Merseyside club until June 2028. Tarkowski, 32, joined Everton from Burnley in summer 2022 and has started all but five of their top flight matches over the previous three seasons, including all seven matches at the start of this term. Tarky 2028. ✍️ pic. twitter. com/t Zo1l Vtp Ln — Everton (@Everton) October 8, 2025 “I’ve loved every minute so far of working under the manager [David Moyes], ” Tarkowski told evertontv. Advertisement He has made it clear where we’re going with this club. The results and performances have really improved in his time here and it does seem to be going in one direction. The reason I’ve signed is because I want to be a part of that. Now it’s up to us as players to get on board and take us in that direction. ” Tarkowski added that his ambition was to help Everton qualify for European competition. “I had a brief spell with Burnley in the qualifiers but we didn’t make it to the group stages, so I want to get there, ” the defender added. “It’s the manager’s goal, it’s our goal as a team and, so far, we’ve started pretty well. Of course, it could have been better but we’ve had a decent start and we’re definitely striving to get into those European spots and bring European football to our new stadium. ” The defender, who has won two caps for England, was among a number of David Moyes’ squad out of contract at the end of the campaign, with Everton also planning talks with James Garner and Vitalii Mykolenko, who are in final 12 months of their terms. The club are also in discussions with Jordan Pickford, whose deal expires in June 2027. Securing Tarkowski was a priority for Everton. Moyes sees the 32-year-old as a key pillar of his team, alongside goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and fellow central defender Jarrad Branthwaite, while he is also a member of the club’s senior leadership team. A free agent signing from Burnley in 2022, he was regarded internally as one of former director of football Kevin Thelwell’s best pieces of business. His fitness record and resolute performances playing a big role in helping Everton survive during a turbulent chapter in the club’s modern history. Tarkowski’s displays this season have not quite been of the same level, with the former Burnley man still trying to regain top form after undergoing hamstring surgery in April. Advertisement But following a big squad rebuild over summer, where nine players came in, attention immediately turned to tying him down to a new deal. The process is ongoing with Garner and Mykolenko, both into the final year of their deals, as well as Pickford. This is a squad in transition, and Tarkowski will be key in helping Everton navigate the challenges that come their way. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle Patrick Boyland has been The Athletic's Everton correspondent since 2019. Prior to joining the company, he worked for ESPN, Mail Online and press agency Sportsbeat, where he covered numerous major sporting events.
Boyland's views on Everton have been sought out by local and national media, while he is also a regular on a number of podcasts focusing on the club.
Follow him on Twitter: @Paddy_Boyland