SIMMS PENS NEW EVERTON DEAL

Young Everton striker Ellie Simms has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract with the Merseyside club. It was announced earlier this week that the former Blackpool loan star has signed a contract extension at Goodison Park.

Simms had some months to run on his previous Everton contract which was scheduled to expire at the end of this season. The 20-year-old striker would have been a free agent next summer if he didn't sign a new deal with the Toffees. He has since signed a two-year contract extension to take him to 2024 at the Merseyside club.

Blackpool fans won't forget Simms in a hurry after the Everton attacker played his part in getting the Seasiders to the English Championship via the League One playoffs. Simms was on loan at Blackpool from Everton for the second half of last season.

Simms scored ten times in 24 games for Blackpool on the way to the League One playoff final. He missed the playoff final due to a groin injury picked up on the eve of the game. The Everton striker underwent surgery in the summer to solve the groin issue and he was able to work his way to the Everton matchday squad before injury struck once again.

The former Blackpool loanee forced his way into theToffees matchday squad before he picked up an ankle injury in September. Simms has been able to battle back from his latest injury setback and he's prepared to do the necessary work in the bid to impress Spanish tactician Rafael Benitez in the Everton dugout.

While Simms has his eyes on first team football at Everton, Blackpool chief executive Ben Mansford has not ruled out another loan move for striker via his interview with Blackpool Gazzette. The Seasiders wanted him to return to the club for another loan spell at the start of the season, but his injury issues proved to be a stumbling block.