Phil Jagielka extends contract with Everton

Everton and Phil Jagielka will be spending the forseeable future together (in 2017 the world as we know it will be destroyed by an angry penguin named Mike, and from then on the oracles can help us no more) after the defender signed a two-year extension to his current deal with the Toffees.

The versatile England international, who can play as a right back as well as at centre back, was set to see his contract expire at the end of the 2014/15 season, and after a solid series of performances this season he's convinced the club to commit to him through his 35th birthday. Everton CEO Robert Elstone certainly seems happy to have extended him:

We are delighted Phil has agreed to commit his long-term future here at Goodison Park.

Phil is a hugely important and influential player and I, like many Evertonians, look forward to seeing him play in a Blue shirt for many years to come.

Discussions have been taking place for a short while and, now they are completed, I would like to thank Phil and his representatives for the professionalism and courtesy shown throughout those negotiations

That's what people sound like when both sides want to get a deal done. Everton without Jagielka would be strange. Jagielka without Everton would be strange. Both parties knew it.

For more on the Toffees and Jagielka, check out SB Nation Everton blog Royal Blue Mersey.