Garry Monk hails Ashley Williams' new deal
4th July
Manager Garry Monk has hailed Ashley Williams' new Swansea City deal as "one of the biggest signings" the club could have made this summer.
The Swans skipper signed a new four-year deal today to end speculation over his future at the club.
Williams had 12 months left on his previous deal, but now he is set to remain at the Liberty until the summer of 2018.
And Monk feels securing Williams' future is hugely important as he prepares the team for the forthcoming Barclays Premier League campaign.
"He's an important player to us, and he's captain of this club and country," said Monk.
"I've got a good relationship with Ash and he represents a lot of the values that this club stands for. It's important that we keep players like that around.
"It's key that you have someone like that. He understands the way I want to work to take the club forward.
"He wants to be part of that and he buys into that way of working. He's a great guy to implement that through to the players.
"He was definitely one of the biggest signings we could have made."
Monk added: "In my conversations with Ashley it was clear he wanted to be here, and now his contract is sorted he can concentrate on his football.
"He's an excellent player. He's aggressive, a very good defender on the floor, an organiser, a leader and he can pass the ball with both feet.
"He's a big part of this team."
