Everton Under-21s midfielder Einar Iversen has signed a new one-year contract to stay at Goodison Park until the end of June 2023.
Norwegian Iversen passed a major staging post on his recovery from a long-term knee problem when he re-joined full training last week, 16 months after sustaining the injury in a Premier League 2 match against Arsenal.
The 21-year-old is drawing inspiration from fellow Everton Under-21 player Tyler Onyango, who was laid low by his own injury around the time Iversen began his rehabilitation.
Onyango returned to make a handful of senior appearances and feature regularly for the Club’s Under-23s last term.
Iversen, who experienced a mix of “relief and excitement” on being informed of his renewed deal, is nevertheless limiting his immediate goal to a campaign of regular action – and a prolonged opportunity to demonstrate the talent that earned him a move to Everton from homeland club Stord IL in 2017.
“I’ve had incredible support from my teammates and the physios and coaches and always felt like everyone in the Club wanted me to come back and do well,” Iversen told evertonfc.com.
“I was told a few months ago I would have a contract for next season and that gave me real security during my rehabilitation.
“The Club has always shown faith in me and it is a great place to be – it has been since I joined five years ago.
“It was really good to be back training with the squad last week, I was buzzing, it was the best feeling to complete a full session with no issues.
“I could do the same session as everyone else and it is good to finally feel part of the team again.
“I did the first part of my rehabilitation with Tyler and Katia Kouyate, who had a similar injury to me. We were together most days and it was important to have others to talk to and share the sessions with.”
Iversen, capped twice by Norway Under-21s, made an Everton Under-18 debut in September 2017, only three months after celebrating his 16th birthday.
He captained Paul Tait’s Under-18s on multiple occasions during the following 2018/19 campaign, when Iversen also made a first Everton Under-23 appearance at the age of 18.
The Scandinavian was established in the Club’s Premier League 2 team and on a run of 19 straight games when his progress was dashed by an anterior cruciate ligament injury in March 2021.
Tait knows all about the player’s attributes – and Iversen is keen to remind others of the qualities that ultimately won him an Everton extension.
“I am a box-to-box midfielder and have good energy, I can press and get to the ball,” added Iversen.
“I have something to offer on the ball, too.
“Paul Tait was my coach when I came five years ago. I know him very well and always loved playing for him, so I am really looking forward to having that chance again.”
Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell, added: “Einar has shown incredible determination and professionalism during a challenging period in his young career. He is a talented footballer with a lot of promise and we are all looking forward to seeing him back on the pitch every week.
“With consistent football and the chance to work again with Paul Tait, we are confident Einar will continue to develop and grow this season.”
