Source: team_talk
Phil Jagielka would be happy to end his playing days at Everton
Everton defender Phil Jagielka has revealed he hopes to remain at Goodison Park for the remainder of his career.
Jagielka has established himself as key member of David Moyes' side since arriving from Sheffield United five years ago and earlier this week extended his contract by two years to keep him on Merseyside until at least 2017. The 30-year-old England centre-back has now set his sights on ending his playing days at Everton.
"I hope I do," he told the club's official website. "I love being here and the club have obviously not minded extending my deal for another two years so I'm looking forward to the future.
"I really enjoy playing here. It wasn't a long discussion to extend my contract - I was delighted to do so. I'm proud to be part of this club and especially if we keep going forward the way we are at the moment, maybe there'll be another contract extension in a few years to come.
"It was really hard for me to leave Sheffield United having come through the ranks and having been given me my first big chance there, but Everton is a massive club. I spoke to my family at the time and we knew it was the right move to make. "When I came, I was a little bit of a utility player - I used to play midfield, right-back and centre-back without really nailing down a position. "But with the guidance not only of the manager and his coaching staff, but the players around me and the more experienced ones, I managed to settle down at centre-half and it's not been too bad since then."Aim
Jagielka hopes to continue playing at the top level for a number of years and believes 35-year-old team-mates Sylvain Distin and Phil Neville are proof it can be done.
He said: "With the sports science, the equipment, the fitness coaches and the physio team around us, it does help you progress further. "Sylvain is a fantastic professional. You wouldn't think he was the age he is - you'd think he would be close to 10 years younger with the way he plays and that's a credit to him. "You look at Phil Neville as well, he's not the youngest and he recently played his 500th Premier League game. If you can keep yourself fit and on top of your game like Sylvain has been doing, I'm sure he has another year or two in him."
