Reuben Gokah speaks out as new Everton agreement reached
Everton have announced that Reuben Gokah has signed a new contract.
Gokah signed for the Blues in August, with the talented young defender joining from Charlton Athletic.
He turned 17 years old earlier this month and was therefore eligible to sign his first professional contract with the Hill Dickinson Stadium side.
He has now done so, tying down his long-term future with David Moyes‘ side, to keep him on Merseyside until June 2028 at the earliest.
What did Gokah say about new Everton announcement?
Gokah is highly-regarded among the staff in the Blues’ academy, and it was imperative to secure his signature, so he could not be poached by other clubs.
He seems to be very happy with the new deal, and offered his reaction after signing the fresh terms with the L4 outfit.
Speaking to the club’s official website on 12 February, he said: “I’m very proud to have signed this deal.
“It’s an exciting moment for me and a big achievement for both me and my family because I’ve worked very hard. I’m really happy to be able to be given this opportunity.
“It’s an exciting time to be an Everton player at the moment, so I’m really looking forward to what the future has for both me and this club.”
That suggests that he knows how big the Toffees are, and it sounds like he is desperate to succeed at the club after joining in the summer.
Why is Gokah so highly rated at Everton?
The 17-year-old has already made a big impression in the England youth ranks, with seven appearances for the Three Lions Under-15 and Under-17 teams.
He has shone since joining Everton’s academy, impressing at the start of the season for Keith Southern’s Under-18s.
He boasts a commanding presence at the back and technical ability, and looks like the perfect modern centre-back with his ball-playing skills and physicality, the next question is whether he can bring them talents to the top-tier.
| Stats | Gokah |
| Games | 5 |
| Minutes played | 450 |
However, he suffered an injury in November, which he has not recovered from yet, which has stalled his progress at the moment.
The Blues supporters and Moyes will be keeping a close eye on his development when he does come back, especially after the contract update.
Everton have made a concerted effort to improve their youth recruitment under the Friedkin Group, and the fact that they have already tied Gokah down, suggests that they believe that he can be a huge talent in the first team soon.
He will hope to have a similar rise to Jarrad Branthwaite, who has been a regular in the team when he is not injured, after rising through the academy.
For more on Everton, visit Football Insider for the latest updates on David Moyes’ side.