Everton captain Seamus Coleman to 'have a think' over new contract offer as full-back admits 'it's hard to walk away from something you love'

Everton club captain Seamus Coleman says it is hard to walk away from something you love and has admitted he is ‘having a think’ on signing a contract extension, with the Irish defender’s deal set to expire next month.

The Toffees have offered Coleman, who was signed for a paltry £60,000 from Sligo Rovers in 2009, a new deal and the 35-year-old is not minded to leave Goodison Park just yet especially when he is still a pivotal member of the squad.

‘The club means everything to me,’ he said, speaking to Everton’s official website. ‘I suppose I live and breathe it like everyone else. It’s been a hell of a ride – the last two or three years – and it’s not a case that you just turn up for work, go home and forget about it.

‘You live and breathe it – and it’s been tough. But I absolutely love this football club, I love this stadium. We’ve got another year here at Goodison, so I’m happy to have been offered something and I’ll have a think.

‘This football club means everything to me and, as I said before when I signed my last contract, it is hard to walk away from something you love.’

Coleman missed most of the first half of this season with a troubling knee injury but has still been an influential member of the squad. He is always spotted around Finch Farm talking to everyone in the building.

He said: ‘The last couple of weeks, we’ve been safe, but without the support this year and without the togetherness in the group – from players to the manager – it’s not to be underestimated what this group has done this season.

‘Two points deductions – never heard of before. Everyone was writing us off. We’ve seen it all; all the noise. The group, to be fair, stuck together. I know we can test the patience of the fans at times, but this is a group I’m proud to be a part of for the way we responded.

'Listen, for me, they’re the best fans in the world. Of course, they are and through good and good, they’re such a passionate fanbase. There’s absolutely no getting away from the fact these supporters have played a massive part in us staying up.’

Coleman added how his family are now huge Evertonians, including wife Rachel: ‘They live and breathe it. My two girls love it. My little man is just getting into it now. Obviously, my wife has been with me since we were 15, 16, so she’s a big Evertonian, as well.

‘Family back home, Everton has taken over our life, and we couldn’t be at a better place. We live and breathe it – here and at home.’