Press Release by The Professional Footballers Association; odds by IDSca.com – Everton utility man Bryan Oviedo’s recent impressive performances have been rewarded with a new three-and-a-half-year contract.

The Costa Rica international has signed the deal after showing this season he is back to his best following an horrific double fracture of his leg two years ago.

“I am really happy to commit my future to Everton because this is a special club and, for me, a second home,” said Oviedo, who joined from Copenhagen in the summer of 2012 and has kept Leighton Baines out of the side in the last two matches.

“When I experienced some really tough times, the toughest of my career, everybody was behind me – the manager, the staff, the players and the fans and that support helped me through and made me stronger, as a person and as a player.

“I feel that I am in the best moment of my career. I am experienced now and I have greater confidence and I have a real ambition to win a trophy for Everton.

“We have clear goals as a team. We want to win a cup and we want to continue building ourselves into a top Premier League team.

“The manager is clear that he wants to build a winning team and I want to play my part in this because he has helped me to progress my career by believing in me.

“Everton is an incredible club and the people here are fantastic. Every day is a joy to come to work and to try to improve as an individual and as a team.

“I’m really happy to be a part of this and my ambition is that we are successful in the years to come.”

Prior to joining the Everton Football Club of the Barclays English Premier League, Oviedo had signed with FC Copenhagen, which loaned him to FC Nordsjælland for a brief stint. In Costa Rica, he played with Deportivo Saprissa and is in the starting lineup of the National Team.

According to leading Pay-Per-Head (PPH) provider IDSca.com, Oviedo’s contract extension was expected and does not substantially change The Blues’ odds to win the season outright, which currently stand at about 660.

For The Blues’ upcoming March 1st match, Aston Villa is 18/5 while Everton is 19/20, with odds for a draw at 34/13.