NUNO VALENTE has officially extended his stay at Goodison – as Leighton Baines became the latest Everton player to go under the knife.

Valente put pen to paper yesterday after both the player and club decided to activate a clause in the defender’s contract to keep him at Everton for another 12 months.

The 33-year-old was signed from Porto for £1.5million three years ago on the recommendation of his former manager, Jose Mourinho.

Valente has since made 58 appearances, although only 14 came last season with the left-back hampered by injury.

Nevertheless, David Moyes was keen to retain the Portugal international for his experience, particularly in European competition.

Baines, meanwhile, had surgery on Monday to address a long-standing ankle problem initially suffered in October.

The operation is expected to sideline the left-back for between six and eight weeks, allowing him enough time to report back for pre-season training at Finch Farm in the first week in July.

A series of injuries have restricted Baines to only 18 starts since his £6m move from Wigan Athletic last summer.

While the 23-year-old nursed a groin problem on his arrival and then tore his hamstring in December, the main problem has been ankle damage sustained by a tackle by Derby County’s Darren Moore on October 28.

Baines was sidelined for six weeks but played through pain barrier with Everton short on numbers, the operation having been postponed from January.

“It’s been a difficult season, different from anything I have ever experienced,” said Baines recently. “You just have to make sure you use it to your advantage. It’s been challenging mentally.

“Hopefully, with a summer to rest and recuperate, the ankle will heal completely in

time for the new season and I’ll be able to start afresh.”

Mikel Arteta (stomach), Tim Cahill (foot) and James Vaughan (knee) have also recently undergone operations, while Joleon Lescott is recovering from having an injection in his knee.

Like Baines, all are expected back for pre-season.

While Valente has been retained, nine youngsters have been released including Icelander Bjarni Vidarsson, who made a first-team appearance in the UEFA Cup at AZ Alkmaar in December.

He leaves the club having spent the last five months on loan at FC Twente in Holland.

Also departing are Patrick Boyle – who had a successful loan spell at Crewe Alexandra this season – and fellow defender Shaun Densmore, midfielders Steven Morrison, James Hall and Ryan Harpur and forwards Aidan Downes and Stephen Connor.

Reserve Player of the Year John Irving has been offered a new deal, while new terms have also been offered to Irish defender Darren Dennehy.