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Pienaar - Everton is my home

Image: Pienaar: Happy at Everton

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar insists he is happy at Goodison after speculation over his future.

Midfielder plays down reports of impending exit

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar insists he is happy at Goodison Park after speculation surfaced over his future. The South Africa international, who is out of contract at the end of next season, had been linked with a move away from Merseyside. Manchester City, Arsenal and Bayern Munich were all reported to be tracking the skilful midfielder, who is a key member of David Moyes' squad. With Marouane Fellaini ruled out for the remainder of the season as he requires surgery on a serious ankle injury, Moyes will be loath to see another of his star names distracted. But the 28-year-old has allayed the fears of his manager and the club's supporters by pledging his future to the Toffees.

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Pienaar said: "I feel this is my home. The supporters have always been good to me and I always give 100 per cent. "I definitely aim to play here for a lot longer, why not? "Talk of moving is only rumours and I'm definitely enjoying my football here." Pienaar scored an impressive opener in Tuesday night's Europa League last-32 first leg meeting with Sporting Lisbon. Sylvain Distin then handed the Toffees a 2-0 advantage, only to see red and concede a sloppy penalty in the closing seconds which the Portuguese side converted to grab a lifeline ahead of the second leg. Pienaar admitted: "It's unfortunate we have to go there with just a one-goal lead. "Still, if we can repeat the form we showed in the first leg, we can definitely do it. I think we will go for them."