Swansea City: Kyle Bartley signs three-year contract

Kyle Bartley challenges for the ball with Connor Wickham.

Kyle Bartley has signed a new three-year contract with Swansea City.

The 23-year-old centre-half joined in the summer of 2012, but was sent on loan to Birmingham City the following season after only making two league appearances for the Swans.

Bartley's contract was due to expire at the end of the 2014-15 season and manager Garry Monk is happy to have convinced him to stay.

"He has all the ingredients to be a top player for me," said Monk.

The manager - a former central defender - added that Bartley's age and promise made it important for Sweansea to act fast.

"It was important to get him signed because he's a young player," he added.

"Kyle's a great prospect for us, and one that I want to build up knowing that position as well as I do.

"I can see the potential in him."

Monk recalled Bartley from his Birmingham loan in February 2014, using him sporadically as the Swans recorded a 12th-placed finish.

And Bartley is eager to make more first-team appearances in the Premiership.

"Both the managers have given me a lot of confidence in myself in the three years.

"I turned 23 a couple of months ago and I feel like I'm ready now, I'm at a good age.

"It's never going to be easy for a young centre-half to be playing in the Premier League, but I'm confident in my ability, I think the manager is too and hopefully I can do it."