Arteta believes Everton are on the verge of big things
Midfielder Mikel Arteta has signed a new five-year contract with Everton.
The news ends speculation over the Spaniard's future after a summer in which he was linked with Arsenal as well as clubs in his home country.
The 28-year-old follows Tim Cahill, Leighton Baines, Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman in signing new long-term deals at Goodison Park this summer.
Arteta said he has come to realise "how important I am to the club and how important the club is to me".
Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright has described Arteta as "one of the finest players ever to wear an Everton shirt" and Artena said the support of the Everton hierarchy had been a big factor in his decision to sign a new contract.
"The chairman and the manager wanted me to stay 120% and that makes me feel proud," the midfielder, who has twice been Everton's player of the season, told the club's website.
"We are all seeing the club and the future in the same way and that is special - something that you don't always find.
"I believe in this squad. We have got a very strong squad now and it is getting difficult to pick an 11 because of the players we have.
"Something is happening here and I want to be a part of it."
Everton boss David Moyes described Arteta's decision as "great news".
"He is a very important player for us and we are delighted to secure him," added the Scot.
The chairman deserves a lot of credit for making this deal happen - he is continually trying to move the club forward
Manager Moyes on Kenwright's role
Arteta returned to action in January after almost a year out with a serious knee injury and his form in the latter half of the season, as Everton climbed to eighth in the Premier League, reportedly attracted the attention of several other clubs.
Moyes made the re-signing of his biggest stars his top priority at the end of last season and now only South Africa international midfielder Steven Pienaar's future remains in doubt.
Arteta joined Everton permanently in a £2m deal five years ago from Real Sociedad after a successful loan spell.
Toffees chairman Kenwright said Arteta's "pride in the shirt" had been a major factor in their successful contract negotiations.
"After already tying up the likes of Tim Cahill, Jack Rodwell, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman on long-term deals we have now agreed terms with one of the finest and most influential players in our recent history," he added.
In addition to his delight at retaining Arteta, manager Moyes was also full of praise for Kenwright.
"The chairman deserves a lot of credit for making this deal happen. He is continually trying to move the club forward," said Moyes.
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