Stu Forster/Getty ImagesSylvain Distin's excellence has earned him a new contract at Everton.

The summer of 2009 saw Joleon Lescott jump ship in search of Champions League football. Overall, few could blame him but the transfer was a messy and rather bitter affair. The protracted transfer signalled the end of his defensive partnership with Phil Jagielka and pressed David Moyes into finding a replacement.

As Moyes settled on his chosen target, several raised eyebrows greeted the arrival of Sylvain Distin. The deal was an anomaly for Moyes, with the manager previously striving to lower the average age of the squad. Several years older than his predecessor, Distin was 31 and given his age, rather expensive at five million pounds.

Following the Frenchman's transfer, Moyes explained his decision: "He'll give me a direct replacement and he's a left-footed centre back, which I wanted". Commenting on his age, the Everton manager said, "He's a bit older but more experienced and I look back at how well David Weir and Alan Stubbs did, and I hope Sylvain can do the same".

Since joining the club, Distin has done exactly that and his performances make Lescott a more fleeting memory with each passing week. It is testament to Distin that he has replaced Lescott with relative ease and aside from Lescott's stronger goal scoring record, Distin is arguably the more consistent defender.

Adept in the air, lightning across the surface and strong in the tackle, Distin is a rock within the Everton defence. Signing a new deal earlier today, Distin has committed his future to Everton until 2014; his contract was due to expire this summer.

- Distin commits to Everton

Distin turns 36 later this year but in spite of his advancing years, the centre back remains a fixture in the Everton defence. His current form is keeping John Heitinga on the sidelines as Moyes favours the Jagielka-Distin pairing. Distin is showing no signs of slowing down and Heitinga looks set to cut a frustrated figure with the Everton defence finally tightening up.

While disappointing, consecutive 0-0 draws have helped Everton to rediscover their defensive sharpness. Lacking for the majority of the season, defensive resilience and the form of Distin will be a key factor in Everton's quest for European football.

Able to count the individual errors on one hand, Distin has made a tremendous impact at Everton. Surprising plenty, and he would probably include himself in that list; Distin has consistently turned in impressive performances. A constant presence in the side, Distin has made 137 Everton appearances and looks well set to add to that figure.

For Moyes, the problems will begin in a few years. Unfortunately, Distin cannot go on forever, as much as he would like to, and Everton will need to find a replacement. Even though Moyes is one of the transfer market's shrewdest operators, this is an unenviable task.

Tossed aside, the clock ticking on their playing careers, many aging centre-backs see out their days in the lower reaches of football. Luckily, for Everton, Distin is bucking that trend and he appears to be improving, as he gets older -- if that is at all possible. If he were just a few years younger, Everton would have a brilliant centre-back in his prime rather than the final stretch of his career.

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