Valente signs new Everton deal

Premiership club exercises contract extension option

Portuguese defender Nuno Valente has signed a new one-year extension to his contract at Premiership side Everton, keeping him at Goodison Park until 2008.

The 32-year-old arrived on Merseyside from FC Porto on a two-year deal, with the club agreeing an option of an additional year if both parties were happy.

Valente has struggled with various injuries this season, but his classy performances when he has played, particularly in his first season, have convinced Everton boss David Moyes to keep him with the Toffees for another year.

“We have taken up Nuno Valente’s option for a further year,” Moyes confirmed to the club’s official website.

Valente is currently sidelined with a calf strain, but will be hoping to add to his 43 appearances for the club when Tottenham visit Goodison Park on Wednesday 21st of February.

The Portugal left-back has recently been joined at the Merseyside club by compatriot Manuel Fernandes, who made his home debut last week.

Everton have also agreed a deal to sign goalkeeper Tim Howard, currently on-loan from Manchester United, on a permanent deal in the summer.