SEAMUS COLEMAN admits he has surprised himself with his rapid progress through the ranks.

Just two years ago the 22-year-old was plying his trade with Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland.

However, yesterday the young Irishman celebrated putting pen to paper on a new four-and-a-half-year deal which keeps him at Goodison Park until the end of the 2014/15 campaign.

Coleman only signed a new contract last May but it’s a sign of the huge impression he’s made at Everton so far this season that his previous deal has been torn up.

With striker Victor Anichebe also committing himself to a new contract, it was a timely double boost for Everton boss David Moyes ahead of tomorrow’s showdown with bottom club West Ham at Goodison.

Coleman was snapped up by Moyes from Sligo for just £60,000 in January 2009 as Everton beat off interest from Ipswich, Birmingham City and Celtic.

A successful spell on loan at Blackpool followed with Coleman playing a key role in the Tangerines winning promotion to the Premier League.

This season the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has been a revelation, firmly establishing himself on Everton’s right flank and scoring five goals in 22 appearances.

“I’m over the moon to sign the contract,” Coleman said.

“My aim was to keep impressing after every contract and this new one proves that I’ve been doing well. I just want to keep going now.

“When I came over first it was a two-year contract and I treated it as a trial.

“I got a new one whilst I was at Blackpool, and to get another one so quickly was a surprise because that’s three in a short space of time.”

Coleman’s fiercely committed displays have won him plenty of admirers among the club’s supporters.

“When I go out on the pitch I get my head down and I have a go,” he said.

“Even if it’s not going well for me on the ball, I’ll keep running around and giving it 100% and the fans appreciate that.”