LONDON // Jonjo Shelvey’s efforts to improve his poor disciplinary record after receiving a warning from Swansea manager Gary Monk last season allied to barnstorming midfield displays for the club earned him a new four year contract on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old midfielder -- capped once by England -- has scored nine goals in 77 games for the Premier League club since his £5million ($7.6million) move from Liverpool in 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.
Read more:
– Barcelona press ahead with big money signings despite six months on the sidelines
– Atletico Madrid sign striker Luciano Vietto from Villarreal on six-year deal
Shelvey, who spent three years at Liverpool and was a member of the side that won the 2012 League Cup, believes that Swansea can improve on the eighth spot they finished in last season and challenge for a place in European club competition.
“Outside of the top four I feel we are in that next bracket where we are looking to get into the European places,” he said after signing the contract.
“At this club, with the players we have brought in and the players we already have, we can do that. We just missed out last year but hopefully this year it will happen for us.”
Monk, who won huge praise for the style his side played in achieving their high finish last term, warned Shelvey over his lack of discipline ahead of a league game with Liverpool last December telling him to ‘wise up’ -- it didn’t have an immediate effect as he was sent off for a foul on Emre Can.
However, Shelvey improved markedly after that and had done enough by the end of the season to put a stop to the rumours that Swansea were looking to sell him.
“It’s (the contract) 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,” said Shelvey.
“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.”
Fossati moves to Al Rayyan
Former Al Ain coach Jorge Fossati, who steered Al Sadd to the Asian Champions League title in 2011, has returned to the Qatar Stars League to take charge of Al Rayyan.
The 62-year-old Uruguayan, who had been in charge of Penarol in his homeland, was presented by the club late on Tuesday. Fossati, a former goalkeeper, won all four domestic titles with Al Sadd during two successful stints as coach.
“I am happy to be back and coaching Al Rayyan, it is a privilege,” said Fossati, who was relieved as Al Ain coach after just 49 days in 2013.
Costa Rican swaps London for Sporting Lisbon
Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz has joined Sporting Lisbon from Fulham on a three-year contract which includes a €60 million (Dh243m) buyout clause, the Portuguese club said.
Apart from a six-month loan spell at PSV Eindhoven last year, the 29-year-old midfielder spent four seasons at Fulham, the last in the second tier of English football.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity,” Ruiz said on Twitter. Sporting finished third in the Portuguese league last season but pulled off a major coup by signing coach Jorge Jesus from city rivals Benfica.
Tottenham Hotspur secure Alderweireld
Tottenham Hotspur have signed Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld on a five-year contract.
The 26-year-old Belgium international spent last season on loan with Southampton, making 26 Premier League appearances, and had been linked with a permanent move to St Mary’s.
But the Belgian will join countrymen Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele and Nacer Chadli at White Hart Lane after joining for a fee reported to be £11.5 million (Dh65m).
“I’m very proud to be a Tottenham player,” he told the club’s Twitter account.
Villarreal lose Vietto to Atletico
Argentine striker Luciano Vietto has joined Atletico Madrid from Villarreal.
Vietto was set to sign a six-year contract with Atletico yesterday after the clubs reached an agreement after Atletico reportedly paid Vietto’s buyout clause of €20 million (Dh81.2m).
The former Racing Club player is Atletico’s first summer signing and will replace Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic, who was sold to Juventus last month.
Vietto, 21, enjoyed an impressive debut season in the Primera Liga last term, scoring 12 goals in 32 appearances to help the club finish sixth.
Follow us on Twitter at NatSportUAE
