Ashley Williams signs new four-year contract at Swansea City

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/04/ashley-williams-four-year-contract-swansea-city

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The Swansea City captain, Ashley Williams, has signed a new four-year contract that will keep him with the Welsh side until 2018, the Premier League club said on Friday.

The 29-year-old defender, who also captains Wales, had been linked with a move away from the Liberty Stadium, with Sunderland and Arsenal touted as potential destinations over the past 12 months. But he will remain at the club he joined in 2008, helping them gain promotion to the top flight three seasons later.

The new contract will take Williams up to his 33rd birthday, and the centre-back says he hopes to end his playing days at the Liberty Stadium. “I respect this club and everyone associated with it, and I love it here,” said Williams.

“I’ve been here for six years, so it’s home for me. I hope to finish my career here – I’ve had that viewpoint for a long time. I am very happy here and I’ve enjoyed a lot of success at Swansea. I’m delighted to sign this new contract.”