. . midfielder puts pen-to-paper until 2018
This is what I have wanted to do - my first option was always to renew with Swansea."
Ki Sung-Yueng
Swans midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng has today signed a new four-year contract that will keep him at the Liberty Stadium until 2018.
The South Korean international had a year left on his old deal after arriving from Celtic for £5.5m back in 2012.
Despite making 38 appearances in his first season in SA1 – which included a Capital One Cup win at Wembley – Ki was loaned out to Sunderland for the 2013-14 campaign.
After impressing on Wearside, the 25-year-old returned to south west Wales and hit the ground running with his first goal for the club in the Swans’ opening-day victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
And he revealed his delight at penning a new deal at the Liberty Stadium after a summer of speculation.
“I’m very pleased,” said Ki. “This is what I have wanted to do - my first option was always to renew with Swansea.
“I am very pleased with all of the players and staff at the club, so I am very happy to sign a new contract.
“I want to sacrifice myself for the team and, as always, do as much as I can to help this team improve. I will be giving 100 per cent, and I am looking forward to continuing my work with the club.”
After his Capital One Cup success with Swansea, Ki made it a swift return to Wembley after helping Sunderland reach the final of the competition last term.
However, he couldn’t make it two wins in a row as the Black Cats were beaten by Manchester City, but after returning to the Liberty Stadium Ki has targeted more silverware under boss Garry Monk.
“This team has a great potential, and I am sure that we will be amazing as time goes by,” he said.
“The way we try to play makes it really enjoyable. Hopefully we can win more trophies. It was amazing to be at Wembley for two years in a row, and it would be massive if I could return again this year.
“It won’t be easy, but I want to win trophies with this team. It’s important to go as far as we can, as well as in the league.
“In my first season, we finished ninth. But this year, I think we can go further. I want to make sure we improve.”
Meanwhile, Ki reserved special praise for the Swans boss. Monk was his team-mate when the South Korean arrived from Celtic, before taking over as manager following the departure of Michael Laudrup back in February.
“There are a lot of differences in just one year,” said Ki. “I needed to grow as a player, and I have more confidence since returning. This year, I want to show how much I have grown.
“We work very hard in training. I know the manager very well and he knows me. He knows my strength and weaknesses, and I can learn from him.
“He wants us to be very organised and disciplined. I like the way he manages, so I think we will improve a lot under him.”
