Nathangelo Markelo has committed his future to Everton Football Club as he put pen to paper and signed a new two-year deal on Merseyside until June 2022.

The Netherlands Under-21 international joined the Toffees in 2017 following his departure from Dutch second-tier side FC Volendam. Markelo has been plying his trade in Everton’s youth squads, where he has been instrumental in delivering top-drawer performances, including a Premier League 2 and Premier League Cup double in the 2018/19 campaign.

The 21-year-old has grown into a key part of David Unsworth’s Under-23 side and has chalked up a total of 23 appearances in all competitions this term.

Liverpool Echo reported in May that the Toffees intend to send the Dutchman on loan to his homeland as they seek to make a first-team-ready youngster of Markelo.

Markelo told evertonfc.com: “It feels good for me to sign this contract because it means Everton sees real potential in me. It gives me a lot of confidence.

“Everton is one of the biggest clubs in Europe and has big ambitions for the future. For them to show this belief in me means a lot.”

What would he bring to the senior squad?

21-year-old Markelo plays a rather defensive role in midfield and is technically gifted with his right foot. He possesses a knack for breaking up opposition attacks through wily interceptions and beautifully-timed tackles.

He holds a reasonable versatility too, with additional experience in both right-back and centre-half. The Dutchman boasts an enormous range of passing talents, with an innate ability to fire defence-splitting through-balls.

Markelo was initially thought of as the replacement to Beni Baningime, who was intended to be loaned elsewhere. Things did not come intro fruition as the Congolese-Englishman was only ever sent out to Wigan Athletic, where he chalked up just a solitary appearance.