Abdoulaye Doucoure extends his contract with Everton

Everton have activated their option to extend the contract of midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure until June 2024.

His contract was due to expire this summer and he could have walked away for free, but they will keep him for an extra year.

The 30-year-old has bagged four goals and two assists in 24 league appearances for the Toffees this term as they seek to escape relegation.

Doucoure joined Everton from Watford for around £20 million in September 2020.

He struggled to nail down a starting spot under Frank Lampard earlier this season and considered leaving the club in January.

However, the France-born midfielder has been instrumental for Everton since late January. New manager Sean Dyche came in and reinstated him into the starting XI.

A statement from the Merseyside club read: “Everton can confirm the club has activated the option to extend Abdoulaye Doucoure’s contract until the end of June 2024.

“The Blues moved to add a further 12 months to the midfielder’s existing deal before the stipulated deadline.

“Doucoure, who has made 94 appearances and has 18 goal involvements (nine goals, nine assists) for Everton since completing a switch from Watford in September 2020, has become a key figure since the arrival of manager Sean Dyche in late January.

“Goals from the Mali international at Nottingham Forest and Chelsea helped earn the Toffees a pair of 2-2 draws, while an excellent double at Brighton & Hove Albion set Everton on their way to a 5-1 victory.”

Everton complete their 2022/23 campaign this Sunday as they welcome Bournemouth to Goodison Park.

The Merseyside club will be out for three points to keep themselves in the top flight.

The Cherries have already secured their stay in the top flight, with Gary O’Neil earning plaudits for doing a fantastic job.