Mark Gower signs Swansea City contract extension

Swansea midfielder Mark Gower has also played for Barnet and Motherwell

Mark Gower has signed a one-year contract extension at Swansea City.

The 33-year-old midfielder's previous deal was set to expire at the end of this season but he has accepted a new deal until the summer of 2013.

Gower helped Swansea win Premier League promotion last season and has made eight top-flight appearances and played in their 1-0 loss to Manchester United.

"He has made a valuable contribution to our success and I'm delighted for him," said Swans boss Brendan Rodgers.

"He is a great professional who is getting a chance in the Premier League when he probably should have been playing at this level many years ago.

"Mark is a great worker. He has everything you want in a committed professional - he lives his life for football and he gives everything for Swansea."

Gower joined Swansea from Southend United in June 2008 and signed a one-year contract extension in 2010.

The former Tottenham Hotspur trainee, who has made more than 100 appearances for Swansea, was originally signed as a winger but has impressed since being converted to a holding midfielder at the Liberty Stadium.

Gower, in fact, has created more goal-scoring opportunities per 90 minutes this season than any other player in the Premier League, according to Opta Statistics.

"I'm feeling fit and enjoying my football more than ever," said Gower.

"The way the manager wants us to play the game means it's a pleasure to be part of this midfield and this club.

"At 33, I may not have the same engine as Joe Allen any more but I think experience has made me a bit smarter on how to play the game. I think my decision-making has got a lot better."