Swansea City: Boss Garry Monk signs new three-year deal

Garry Monk played for Swansea City in League Two, League One, the Championship and Premier League

Swansea City manager Garry Monk has signed a new contract committing him to the club until 2018.

Monk, 36, took over as interim manager in February 2014 following the departure of Michael Laudrup and was appointed on a three-year deal the following May.

The former Swans defender led the club to eighth in the Premier League last season with a record points tally.

"I'm extremely pleased to sign the new deal," said Monk.

"We've been talking for a while, mostly over the finer details, so I'm glad it's all finalised heading into a new and very important season for the club."

Swans chairman Huw Jenkins told the club's website: "It's deserved reward for the fantastic season we've just had and all Garry's hard work, commitment and loyalty to our football club over many years.

"We also feel it is vital to have stability within our football club, especially with Garry going into such a big season where the reward for remaining within the Barclays Premier League is going to be greater than ever in terms of finance and global exposure."

Garry Monk (left) and Ashley Williams (right) celebrate Swansea City's 2013 Capital One Cup final victory

Monk joined Swansea as a player in 2004, and made 270 appearances as they rose from League Two to the Premier League.

In his first full season in charge at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea did the double over both Arsenal and Manchester United, and achieved their highest league finish since 1982.

Monk, whose side begin the 2015-16 Premier League season away to champions Chelsea, has made four signings so far this summer as he seeks to improve the squad.

Ghana forward Andre Ayew has arrived from Marseille, joined by Portuguese striker Eder from Sporting Braga, French defender Franck Tabanou from St-Etienne and Swedish goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt from Dutch side Heerenveen.

"Last season was fantastic and I learned a lot to take forward," Monk said.

"But even with the success we all had, from the staff to the players, you can never afford to stand still.

"It's been a happy and productive 18 months so far for me as manager. I believe we have put good foundations in place, but now it's vital we build on that and push forward."