Coleman extends Everton contract

Soccer – Transfer News:Everton pair Victor Anichebe and Republic of Ireland's Seamus Coleman have both signed new four-and-a-half-year contracts with the Goodison Park outfit.

The news gives Everton a lift following the loss of influential midfielder Steven Pienaar to Tottenham earlier this week.

Coleman, who has played for Ireland at under-21 and under-23 level, is a versatile player who can line out on the wing or at full-back. The 22-year-old only signed his previous contract last season but has been rewarded for his outstanding form during the current campaign.

The Donegal native joined the Toffees from Sligo Rovers for €71,000 in 2009 and, after a loan spell at Blackpool last year, has now established himself as a regular in the first team.

He has been one of David Moyes' most reliable players this term and has scored five times.

Academy product Anichebe, also 22, would have been out of contract in the summer. The Nigeria forward has been hampered by injuries over the past two seasons and had been linked with a move away from the club.

However, Moyes has acted quickly to tie him to a new deal following Pienaar's departure.

With Ayegbeni Yakubu having also joined Leicester on loan, Moyes, who has little funds to recruit, can ill afford to lose many more players.

Moyes has said he must concentrate on the loan market in order to bring players in this month, but it remains to be seen if fees received for Pienaar and Yakubu allow him more flexibility.

Elsewhere Boltonhave completed the signing of Middlesbrough defender David Wheaterfor an undisclosed fee.

Wheater (23) has agreed a three-and-half-year deal at the Reebok Stadium. He could make his debut against Chelsea on Monday after arriving at the club's Euxton training complex this morning.

Manager Owen Coyle was keen to bolster his defence after selling Andy O'Brien to Leeds. It understood Bolton have agreed a €2.7 million fee with a further €1.7 million based on appearances.

Coyle said: "First and foremost we are absolutely delighted to get a player of David's quality into Bolton. The hunger that he has shown in wanting to come to the football club has been first class.

"There has been a lot of competition for his signature and again this shows a willingness on our behalf to invest in young players. The club have parted with good money to secure the services of a very talented player who has been involved with England squads before.

"We want him to be involved at that level again and to do that he will have to play well for Bolton Wanderers, however he has arrived here with a real desire to achieve that.

"He has a great character as well. He will integrate into the group straight away and it all adds to the fantastic spirit that we have within the squad."

Wheater already has vast amounts of Premier League experience with Middlesbrough. He said: "I met with the manager and we had a good chat about football. I had a look around the facilities and it was a really easy decision to make.

"From what I've seen there is a really great atmosphere at the club and a real buzz about the place and I'm looking forward to working hard and showing the manager what I can do."

Wolveshave completed the signing of Barnsley winger Adam Hammillfor an undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old former Liverpool trainee has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Molineux club.

Hammill, who has also had spells with Dunfermline, Southampton and Blackpool, has been Barnsley's stand-out performer this season, netting eight goals for the Championship club.

Stoke goalkeeper Carlo Nashhas signed a new one-year deal to keep him at the Britannia Stadium. Nash's previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season and the club have moved to secure him on a 12-month extension.

The former Manchester City custodian, who joined Stoke from Everton last summer, has been forced to play third-choice to Asmir Begovic and Thomas Sorensen at the Potters.

Despite his lack of first-team opportunities, Stoke boss Tony Pulis is delighted Nash has decided to stay at the club.

"Carlo was happy to come here as our third choice 'keeper, but people should not under-estimate the contribution he has made, and the peace of mind which he gives us," Pulis told the club's official website.

"It is important to have three top goalkeepers in the Premier League and to have someone with his experience as additional cover, so we are delighted that he has agreed to remain here.

"He has a tremendous attitude and great enthusiasm for the game, so I know that if we need to call upon him again at any point in the future, he can be relied upon to do a good job for us."