When Everton signed James Tarkowski as a free agent in the summer of 2022, there were some questions about bringing in a 29-year-old center back coming off a relegation season with Burnley.
But the England international has done everything the club has asked of him during his three seasons on Merseyside, helping the Blues to stave off a relegation fall of their own, not to mention one of the most famous goals in the club's long history.
With Tarkowski's contract set to expire at the end of the season, there was plenty of conversation about what Everton would do with the defender. Today, the question was answered, as the 32-year-old signed an extended contract with the club that will keep him on Merseyside until June 2028.
While it's been a bit of a slow start to this season for Tark, he has been one of the more consistent defenders in the Premier League during his tenure with Everton. His partnership with Jarrad Branthwaite has been among the strongest in the league as well, and the younger defender's absence has surely impacted Tarkowski so far this year.
Tarkowski has quickly turned into a fan favorite for the work he's done to keep Everton in the top-flight and his attitude both on and off the pitch. This is something the player was candid about during his interview with the club upon the signing of the contract.
"I'm super excited and proud to be an Everton player and to continue this journey," he told EvertonTV.
"It's been a crazy few years with some big lows and some massive highs. We've managed to get through those tough times, and hopefully now we're on to more positive and exciting times ahead."
What role Tark will play in the Everton squad moving forward remains to be seen, although much of it will come down to his effectiveness on the pitch. Logic would dictate that the Toffees will eventually need to find a long-term option at right back and that Jake O'Brien, who just turned 24 in May and is also signed through 2028, will get the chance to be the starting center back next to Branthwaite, whose summer contract extension will keep him on Merseyside until 2030.
That wouldn't mean that Tarkowski can't be part of the club, just that his role may change, something he must be aware of watching club captain Seamus Coleman these last few years, who is near the age Tark will be as his new deal expires.
And in many ways, extending Tarkowski is going to allow him to be the veteran leader for this squad as it transitions into the new era at Hill Dickinson and, hopefully, European competitions and bringing silverware home to Merseyside.
And that feels like something Everton supporters around the world can get behind.