Williams signs new Swansea deal

Swansea City defender Ashley Williams has signed a new three-year deal with the club.

The 28-year-old’s fresh terms, which will keep him with the Welsh outfit until the summer of 2015, make him the latest player to commit his future to the Premier League side following goalkeeper Michel Vorm in September.

The new deal caps off a memorable October for Williams after he was handed the Wales captain’s armband in place of Aaron Ramsey by national boss Chris Coleman.

“I’m delighted to get it signed. It’s dragged on a bit but I’m happy to finally sign and be part of this team. I’m enjoying it here; it’s a great place to be at the moment,” Williams told the club’s official website.

“If we continue to work as hard as we have been, we will continue to go forward as a team and a club.”

Williams first joined Swansea on loan from Stockport County in March 2008, before making the move permanent at the end of the season, and the defender reminisced about the hectic manner in which he first signed on the dotted line for the Swans.

“I still remember signing on loan for the club on the last minute of deadline day back in 2008,” he recalled.

“I arrived at the stadium late, signed the contract on the bonnet of my car and the club secretary had to run up the stairs to fax it off.

“I would never have believed it would turn out this way for me or the club. To captain my club, country and play week in, week out in the Premier League is what dreams are made of.”

Williams insisted that the unflappable team chemistry at Swansea was one of the main triggers behind extending his stay, pointing out the recent managerial upheaval as evidence of the togetherness of the squad.

“I’ve enjoyed every year I’ve been here. It’s always been different, normally with a change of manager, but what has stayed the same is the closeness of the squad,” he said.

“One of the best things about playing here is the players. They are a great bunch and I look forward to going into training every day.”