• Born: 23/02/1981


• Birthplace: Glasgow


• Nationality: Republic Of Ireland

Everton secured the signing of the talented and highly-rated midfielder James McCarty in a deadline-beating swoop in September 2013.

The central midfielder renewed his partnership with Blues boss Roberto Martinez following the Spaniard's switch from Wigan to Everton.

Despite his relatively young age, McCarthy had already racked up well over 100 Premier League appearances when he made the £13 move to Goodison Park.

He had also helped the Latics win the 2013 FA Cup when they recorded a shock 1-0 win over Manchester City, under Martinez.

Earlier in his career, McCarthy had been a teenage prodigy at Hamilton Academicals in Scotland, making his debut aged 15. He quickly became a regular for the Accies and helped them to promotion to the Scottish Premier League in 2008.

Such were his efforts the following season, he won the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year award - with teams south of the border taking note.

McCarthy had already been on trial at Reading and Liverpool before Martinez made the then-18-year-old one of his first signings at the DW Stadium.

His comfort on the ball meant the midfielder quickly found a synergy with his manager's desired style of play and in his first season in England he also won his first senior Ireland cap.

Despite being born in and so eligible for Scotland, McCarthy had already pledged his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland because of his Irish grandparents.

After a succession of excellent Premier League displays as Wigan gamely avoided relegation, McCarthy was handed the chance to take his career to the next level at Everton after the Latics finally dropped to the Championship in 2013.

He fitted in superbly at Goodison, almost immediately becoming a regular and fans' favourite with his energetic midfield displays.

McCarthy scored his first Everton goal on the final day of the season at Hull and was second to Seamus Coleman in the Player of the Season vote.

James signed a new deal with Everton on 06th August 2015 keeping him at the club for another 5 years.

Contracted until: June 2020.

Source: Evertonfc.com