Everton miss out on Huth

Everton have missed out on defender target Robert Huth as he has penned a new four-year deal at the Britannia Stadium.



Huth still had a year to run on his current deal but there were fears he could look to move on this summer with both Everton and Sunderland said to be watching developments.



However the former German international has ended all the speculation by penning a deal that will keep him at Stoke until 2016 and now he cannot wait for the season to get started.



"I am delighted that it has all been sorted out before the start of the season," he said.



"I've had a fantastic time here, the best three years of my career. It's been great to play a big part in the club's progress over that period, but also to gain some personal recognition with the Player-of-Year awards which I won at the end of the last two seasons."



Everton may now turn their attentions somewhere else as they look to strengthen their squad.