LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford signed a contract Friday to stay with the Premier League club until June 2027.

Pickford, 28, joined Everton from Sunderland in the summer of 2017 and has since developed into one of England’s top-choice goalkeepers.

The 4 1/2-year deal will take Pickford into a decade at the club, but the short-term goal is to push further away from the relegation zone.

Under new manager Sean Dyche, Everton have won two of their last three games to climb out of the drop zone. Aston Villa visit Goodison Park on Saturday.

“The last few seasons have not been what we wanted, but now we have a manager who I believe will point us in the right direction and bring us up the table,” Pickford told social media. “Definitely my aim is to be successful at this club.”

Pickford has made 50 appearances for England, including two World Cups. He stopped England’s run to the finals of the 2021 European Championship.

Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell called Pickford “one of the best goalkeepers in world football”.