Football
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Jonjo Shelvey signs new four-year deal with Swansea City

Jonjo Shelvey has signed a new four-year contract at Swansea, the Premier League club have announced.

Shelvey, 23 and capped once by England, has made 77 appearances and scored nine goals since joining Swansea from Liverpool for £5 million in the summer of 2013.

"The midfielder had two years left on his original deal but has penned fresh terms that will see him remain at the Liberty until the summer of June 2019," read a statement on the official Swansea website.

The new contract represents a remarkable turnaround in fortune for Shelvey who was told to "wise up" by Swansea manager Garry Monk last December after he had collected seven bookings and a red card in the first half of the season.

Monk said he would not tolerate Shelvey's "laziness" anymore but the Londoner responded in the right manner and was a first-team fixture as Swansea secured their best ever Premier League finish of eighth with a record points total.

Now Shelvey, who had two years remaining on his existing deal and married former pop star Daisy Evans this summer, has pledged his long-term future to Swansea.

"It's been on the cards for a few weeks and I'm glad to get the papers signed so I can now concentrate on my football," Shelvey said. "When my agent mentioned it to me I said 'When can we get it signed?'

"It's an honour and privilege to sign for another four years at Swansea and give the fans back the support they've shown in me.

"I feel I've got better. I thought I did well in my first year. I didn't start off too well last season -- I had a sticky patch -- but at the back end of last season I really kicked on.

"Hopefully I can get my head down in pre-season and hit the ground running for the start of the Premier League."

Shelvey made 69 appearances for Liverpool after joining them from Charlton as an 18-year-old but over half of those were as a substitute.

His solitary international cap came during his time at Liverpool in a World Cup qualifier against San Marino in October 2012, although England manager Roy Hodgson called him into a squad for Euro 2016 qualifiers with San Marino and Estonia last October.

"The main reason I left Liverpool was to play games," said Shelvey. "Luckily, I've found a club that is a superb place to play your football.

"I've not regretted the move once since I left, and now I've signed for four more years I can't wait to kick on.

"The way we play gives me confidence to play to my ability. You will see a few changes in terms of the way we play this season.

"The manager is constantly onto us and there will be a few changes, but it will be a lot better for the club."

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