Everton midfielder Muhamed Besic has signed a new five-and-a-half year contract that will see him remain at the club until the summer of 2021.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international originally joined the Toffees in the summer of 2014 from Hungarian side Ferencvaros and has gone on to make 40 appearances in all competitions for Roberto Martinez’s side.

The 23-year-old, who had already triggered an automatic one-year extension to his contract by reaching 25 league appearances for the club, admits it was an easy decision to extend his stay on Merseyside.

He said: “I’m really happy to have signed a new contract with a club such as Everton. After a year and a half with the club, it makes me proud that they have given me a new deal.”

Besic is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury but could return to action ahead of this weekend’s clash with West Ham, and he is keen to help the team enjoy a successful end to the campaign.

He added: “The next 12 games and also Chelsea in the FA Cup (quarter-finals), I hope we can do our speaking on the pitch.”

Besic will not be involved in the Toffees’ next game against bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa on Tuesday due to injury, as Everton look to make it five wins from their last six matches in all competitions. .

Everton are 1.91 to secure all three points at Villa Park, while the hosts are 4.33 and the draw is 3.50.