BOWLER JOINS HULL ON LOAN AFTER PENNING NEW EVERTON DEALJosh Bowler has signed a one-year contract extension with Everton and sealed a season-long loan move to Championship team Hull City.
Everton Under-23s attacker Bowler’s new deal keeps him at Goodison Park until at least June 2021 and the 20-year-old believes the extension represents an “important step” in his career.
Bowler will spend the 2019/20 campaign with Hull and vowed to “play his heart out” for a side pursuing a Premier League return.
The forward, who joined Everton from Queens Park Rangers in summer 2017, came into his own for the Club’s Under-23s when David Unsworth’s side reached the clutch period of their double-winning season last term.
He produced a series of influential displays and scored the goal against Brighton & Hove Albion which clinched the Premier League 2 title.
“It was a big move for me to come to Everton and I have always thought it was the right one,” Bowler told evertonfc.com.
“This contract validates that belief and is an important step for me.
“My game has evolved in the past two years. I have grown wiser in my playing style and started to contribute more goals and assists, which is vital in my position.
“Being asked to sign an extension makes you feel wanted and that you are hitting your targets.
“To know you have that time at the Club gives you more freedom and allows you to focus on your football.”
Bowler was invited to train with Marco Silva’s first team on a number of occasions last season and played the second 45 minutes of Everton’s opening pre-season friendly against Kariobangi Sharks in Kenya.
And when it was determined that Bowler’s progression would be aided with a season away from Goodison Park, his destination was chosen in consultation with Director of Football Marcel Brands.
“Marcel knows what is right for me and it is great this loan has his backing because you trust in his football knowledge,” said Bowler
“He knows everything about football, so the fact he thinks this is good for me fills me with confidence.
“To train with the players in Everton’s first team is an eye opener. It allows you to gauge where you are with your game.
“You are learning every second you’re there. I try to pick up everything I can on and off the pitch.
“Theo [Walcott], who plays in my position, is always in the gym and works so hard.
“I am going to try to emulate that and do what he does… that’s what you need to do to succeed.”
Hull, FA Cup finalists in 2014, were relegated from the Premier League two seasons ago.
They finished 13th in last season’s Championship and Bowler is promising to do his utmost to help engineer an upturn in fortunes at the KCOM Stadium.
“You are playing for a fanbase which cares passionately about the club and you have to do the same; to invest the same passion and show the same heart as the fans,” added Bowler.
“Our success with the Under-23s has given me the hunger to want to achieve more at Hull. I will try my best in every game, do everything I can for Hull, and I hope that shows to the supporters.
“Wherever I am, I will play my heart out and try to impress as many people as possible.”
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