EVERTON may face an uncertain future in the dug-out – but one familiar face on the pitch has decided to stick around.
Leon Osman has ended uncertainty over his Blues future by signing a two-year deal to keep him at the managerless club until 2015.
Negotiations over a contract extension for the midfielder appeared to have stalled last month, but the 32-year-old has been given the security he required and decided to stay at the club where he started his senior career in 2003.
Osman is one of the longest-serving one-club men in the Premier League, and enjoyed arguably his finest season in a blue shirt last term which peaked with him making his England debut against Sweden in November.
His current contract was due to expire in 12 months and Everton were keen to persuade him to sign with Spurs and Stoke City among a number of clubs believed to be interested in the skilful playmaker.
The Billinge-born academy graduate scored eight goals from midfield last season and after nearly 350 games for Everton will join Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs (Man Utd), John Terry (Chelsea), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle) and team-mate Tony Hibbert leading players in next season’s Premier League who have stayed at one club throughout their careers.
Meanwhile, new revenue figures released yesterday show that the Toffees made £51.7m from TV appearances last season.
Despite finishing sixth in the Premier League, Everton were only the seventh highest earners from broadcasting income with rivals Liverpool above them.
Champions Manchester United made the most with £60.8m, while Manchester City made £58.1m, Arsenal £57.1m, Tottenham £55.8m, Chelsea £55m, and Liverpool £54.8m.
