Everton have completed the permanent signing of Gareth Barry.
The midfielder – who spent a successful season on loan at Goodison Park in 2013-14 – has signed a three-year deal with Roberto Martinez’s outfit.
Barry, capped 53 times for England, was out of contract at Manchester City having signed for the Citizens from Aston Villa in 2009.
Speaking to Everton’s in-house television station, he expressed his delight at securing his future for the next three years.
Barry has made 53 England appearances since his international debut in 2000
He said: "I was really keen to get this sorted before the lads come back to training on Thursday.
“I'm delighted now that everything is signed and that I'm going to be spending the next few years at Everton.
"When you are on loan, it is never the same as being a signed player. I was really settled last year - but now I am an official Everton player and it feels really good.”
Barry made 36 appearances for the Toffees during the 2013-14 campaign as Everton secured a top-five finish and a spot in the UEFA Europa League.
The 33-year-old impressed throughout his loan spell, and praised Martinez's influence - saying he made him feel at home on Merseyside from day one.
"From the moment I signed last year I settled in straight away,” he added.
“There is a fantastic history here and it was brilliant working with the manager”
Gareth Barry
“There is a fantastic history here and it was brilliant working with the manager.
"I have learned so much from him, it is a great set of players and the fans were fantastic last year - just everything about Everton feels right.
“The training ground, the facilities, the history - there is so much that is positive about the club."
Everton return to training on Thursday and get their pre-season schedule under way on 22 July with a short trip to Tranmere Rovers.
The Toffees' 2014-15 Premier League campaign begins at newly-promoted Leicester City on 16 August, before they welcome Arsenal to Goodison Park for their first home game of the season the following weekend.
