Rodwell is one of a number of talented youngsters at Everton

Everton youngster Jack Rodwell has signed a new five-year contract which will keep him at the club until 2014.

The 17-year-old midfielder scored his first senior goal in last weekend's FA Cup fifth-round win over Aston Villa.

A product of the club's academy, Rodwell has made 13 appearances, including seven starts, this season.

"When we get good young players, we want to sign them and keep them. That's always the way we've gone about it," boss David Moyes told the club website.

"Jack has got a long way to go and it wasn't ideal that we had to pitch him in at the start of the season. We threw him in at the deep end.

"He played well in those games at times but we took him away from it for a while to give him a break and let him see what it's all about.

"But when he came back in against Liverpool he looked really good and he made a big contribution against Aston Villa. The signs from him were positive."

"He has ability on the ball, he senses danger, he can tackle, he has everything," said Goodlass.

"I've always said he is a level-headed lad and I think he can go as far as he wants too.

"He can play in front of the back-four, he can play in midfield and with his height he is a good acquisition for us in the opposing penalty area.

"If he does end up at centre-half I think he could end up as an England player, so it bodes well for Everton for the future."

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