MIKEL ARTETA has spoke of his happiness on signing a new five-year contract at Everton.

The Spanish midfielder had been linked with a move away from Goodison Park all summer but ended speculation over his future on Saturday by committing himself to the Goodison Park outfit until he is 33 years old.

He said: “I am really happy. It’s been a really busy summer and at the end of the day we all decided this was the best way for it to end up.

“I think both parties are really happy with it.

“From the start the chairman and the manager were 100% convinced they didn’t want to listen to any of the other teams who were interested. That made me really think. If they are that convinced, there’s a reason for that.

“We had a couple of discussions and tried to get something sorted. It was a situation which wasn’t going to improve through the season if we left it.”

Arteta has already scored 29 goals in 159 appearances and twice been voted Everton’s player of the year.

And he admits he can see himself playing out the remainder of his top-flight career at Goodison.

“My aim is to stay here as long as I can – that’s why I agreed to the contract,” said the Spaniard.