Everton confirm that Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new deal until 2023 as reward for his progress made in the last six months. The 18-year-old has moved into the first-team matchday squad since football returned in England and could be handed his debut before the season comes to a close.
Branthwaite joined for £1m from Carlisle United in January 2020 and has gone in to make two appearances for the U23s. He finds behind Yerry Mina, Michael Keane and Mason Holgate in the pecking order and may have to compete with Lewis Gibson for opportunities next season, but Carlo Ancelotti is clearly impressed with what he’s seen from the Englishman so far.
The 18-year-old said: “I’ve come a long way from playing for Carlisle in the first half of the season, and now being here at a massive club like Everton and working under one of the best managers in the world. I’ve settled in really well so far. I thought it was going to be quite difficult moving away from home but everyone at the Club has helped me feel comfortable.
“Training with the first team has been a great experience. I’m enjoying it. The likes of Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman have given me a lot of advice. Throughout the training sessions, they give me little tips on where I can improve. Everyone’s been very good with me, though. I’ve been looking at what the other players do and trying to implement certain parts into my game, so I can be the best player I can be. I’ll keep striving to do better.”
I remember seeing the comments you Everton first signed him asking who he was , Kept on thinking you’ll know his name soon . Excellent technically , but important thing is he is defender first and a little trick when you see him play, try and work out what his dominant foot is
— Gary wylie (@Grwylie) July 4, 2020
Big future for jarrad new contract so soon must be some player
— David (@David42797784) July 4, 2020
Good news. Carlo’s clearly been impressed with what he’s seen so far 👍
— Chris addison (@Addo1878) July 4, 2020
Well done Jarrad
— DJ73 (@DJ7342483223) July 4, 2020
This lad is special 👌 delighted for him #cufc
— Laura cufc (@laurabarr38) July 5, 2020
He is obviously impressed in training…gonna be some player @laurabarr38 ….thank you @cufc
— John Sheedy (@johntsheedy1) July 4, 2020
Wise move from Carlo. The lads a bit special. 💙 the #cufc family
— InTheCity (@inthecity_cufc) July 4, 2020
This guy will be one of the best CB’s in England in a couple of years. If he got the chance now he would be up there with the best of them already.
— Alan Barlow (@howdoyadothis) July 4, 2020
At 17 he’s was outwitting players and taking the palaces of aces with several hundred football league appearance , Even it’s its League 2 you’ll have found very few centre backs bellow 20 let’s alone 18 , will be a great player
— Gary wylie (@Grwylie) July 4, 2020
Ancelotti named Branthwaite in the squad for Everton’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool (June 21), 1-0 win over Norwich City (June 24) and 2-1 win over Leicester City (July 1), but he hasn’t introduced him from the bench yet. With Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams being released last summer while Matthew Pennington was loaned out, Everton need another centre-back to accompany Mina, Keane and Holgate.
There’s a chance Gibson might be loaned out to get experience next season, so Branthwaite could be an important player.