'I never wanted to leave!'... Baines delighted to agree new four-year contract at Everton in blow to former boss Moyes and United



Poll Is Baines right to snub United and stay at Everton? Yes No Is Baines right to snub United and stay at Everton? Yes 2991 votes

No 1107 votes Now share your opinion





Leighton Baines has agreed a new four-year contract with Everton, with manager Roberto Martinez describing the deal as a 'phenomenal boost' for the club.

The 29-year-old England left back has committed his long-term future to the Goodison Park club in a blow to Manchester United and other clubs who were keen on signing him.

'I am delighted to have agreed the new deal,' Baines told the club's website. 'I am very happy at Everton and always have been.

New contract: Leighton Baines has signed a new four-year deal with Everton

CREATIVE GENIUS

Since the start of 2011-12, Leighton Baines has created the third-most chances in the Premier League...

David Silva - 259 Juan Mata - 227 Leighton Baines - 204 Luis Suarez - 204 Samir Nasri - 180 Robin van Persie - 171

'It’s a fantastic football club and I am excited about what we can achieve here in the next few years.



'I have a great relationship with the chairman and also the manager, the staff, the rest of the lads and, of course, the supporters.



'I’ve loved every minute of being here since I first joined in 2007 and I couldn’t be happier.'

Baines’ future had been the subject of much speculation since last summer.



Baines was rumoured to be close to signing for Manchester United along with Marouane Fellaini in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, but insists the talk was never a problem for him, and was only speculation.



Four more years! How Everton's Twitter account marked the news of Baines's deal

Best years: Baines (left) has committed to Everton until the age of 33 'Was it a distraction? Not for me, no. I am a professional footballer and speculation is part and parcel of the industry we are in but it never affected me for a moment on the pitch.

'Of course it was on my mind at times away from pitch because I was getting asked about it everywhere I went but I hope the supporters could see that I didn’t let it affect me at all once I crossed the white line.

'I’ve never been one to relish the limelight so I suppose I’m glad that the speculation will go away now.' Speaking in his press conference ahead of Tuesday night's Merseyside derby with Liverpool, Martinez said: 'It is a phenomenal boost. He has signed a new contract. 'To have him secured and his best years at Everton means a lot. We are all excited. That is an understatement.

'Phenomenal boost': Everton manager Roberto Martinez was delighted to secure the long-term future of the England left back

'We are all looking forward to his experience, he has just turned 29 and I know the fans will be delighted.

'He is more than a footballer at our club. I think you look at the moment of his career, with the World Cup around the corner and the daily standards he sets.

'I'm looking at what he can get over the next four years and know the best if yet to come.

'His understanding of the game is incredible, he has the focus and tranquility to get even better.'

Martinez also spoke about Bryan Oviedo, who suffered an horrific double leg fracture in Saturday's 4-0 win over Stevenage in the FA Cup fourth round and will miss the remainder of the season.

'He's in great spirits as he's been inundate with messages and a lot of affection,' the manager said.



Injury blow: Bryan Oviedo has been ruled out for the rest of the season, and possibly the World Cup, after suffering a double leg fracture in the FA Cup tie at Stevenage

'The integrity he showed when getting carried off, telling the players to win the game, was incredible.

'Reality kicked in when he got to the dressing room. He will have the surgery this evening [Monday] and then it is just a question of counting down the days.

'He has shown an incredible level this season. It is one of those injuries that will give you a very broad timescale. It could be five or six months but it depends.



'If Bryan could make the World Cup that would be an incredible boost. If he can't make that, he will be ready for pre-season. We will all try to help him.'

Martinez ruled out making a move in the final week of the transfer window to replace Oviedo, adding that a decision will be made over the future of Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga in the next 48 hours.

Integrity: Martinez said Oviedo was telling his team-mates to go on and win the Cup tie as he was carried off on a stretcher at Broadhall Way

The Spaniard said Gerard Deulofeu will likely return for the trip to Tottenham next weekend and new loan signing from Monaco Lacina Traore will be in the squad for the derby.



Martinez said: 'We have got another situation with Heitinga, whether he says with us or goes to play minutes to join the World Cup squad.

'We are a bit thin at the minute with the little niggles we have but we will see.



'We have great news about Gerard Deulofeu. He will be fit a week on Saturday. Lacina Traore will arrive today and we will bring him in straight away.

Straight in: Lacina Traore, who has arrived at Goodison Park on loan from Monaco, will go into the squad for the Merseyside derby with Liverpool

'We have six players who have little knocks. I will be very doubtful if they can make it for the derby but we will see.'

Looking ahead to the derby with Liverpool, Martinez said his side were no longer fazed by such big matches, having drawn at Arsenal and won at Manchester United this season.



'This season, we have had a couple of big experiences. You can go down to the tactical and technical aspects of any performance but to win these games you need to be perfect in those areas and have the belief.



'This season we have gone to the Emirates and drawn and Old Trafford and won. We can go anywhere and be ourselves.'

Thriller: Romelu Lukaku was on target for Everton in their 3-3 draw with Liverpool at Goodison in November

Share of the spoils: Luis Suarez scored for Liverpool as the points were split, with Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge also on the scoresheet



