Katia Kouyate has explained the talents he hopes to bring to Everton's first team in the future after signing a new contract with the club.
It was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Everton had agreed a two-year deal with the striker that will keep him at Finch Farm until at least June 2024. Having featured regularly for Paul Tait with the under-18s in the past, Kouyate broke into the under-23s side two seasons ago and has continued to establish himself at under-21 level this season.
The 19-year-old joined the club's academy at the age of eight and has overcome injury issues in recent campaigns. He thanked the club for their show of faith in offering him a new deal and he is hoping he can repay that on the pitch.
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Kouyate told evertontv: "This new contract is massive for me and gives me confidence to keep working hard and giving my all. I’ve had a few injuries the past couple of years but for the club to show this faith in me with a new contract means the world to me and my family.
"The support I’ve had at Everton has been massive, both psychologically and physically. The coaches and physios have been great with me and I’ve had a psychologist to make sure I stay in a good mental state which is important these days to keep on top of your mental health. The more you’re able to speak about that, I think it helps you on the pitch as well as off it.
"I feel like I owe it to the club every time I put the shirt on to produce a bit of magic."
Kouyate has linked up with Tait once more for he beginning of this campaign and he believes the coach, who took over the under-21s in the summer having previously been in charge of the under-18s, knows exactly how to get the best out of him and develop him as a player.
And the teenager has also been given the chance to impress Frank Lampard after he was one of a group of under-21 stars who stepped up to first-team training over the course of this international break.
Having had that taste of senior sessions, Kouyate is desperate for more. And he explained to Evertonians who might not have seen him play often what his game is all about - and what he hopes he can bring to the first team in the future.
"Taity knows what sort of player I am and what I have to offer," he added. "He pushes me all the time, including when I’ve not been at my best, so it feels really good to be working with him again.
"I’d like to say I’m a direct and exciting forward. I like to take people on, make runs in behind and both provide and score goals. My aim is to improve my understanding of the game, my positioning and my shooting with my weaker foot.
"My main priority this season is to get back into the under-21s starting team and then, in the future, get myself in and around the First Team.
"It was massive to get a chance to train with them recently. It was great to see the difference between the level I am at now and the likes of Dimi [Gray] and (Neal) Maupay to see where I need to go to to take my game to the next level. Now I’ve been there, I want to strive to get back there."
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