Swansea defender Kyle Bartley signs new four-year deal at the Liberty Stadium as he fights for first-team spot
- Swansea defender Kyle Bartley will now remain in south Wales until June 2021
- Bartley spent the last campaign on loan at Championship outfit Leeds United
- Former Arsenal trainee says he gained confidence from his spell at Elland Road
- 26-year-old is eager to fight for first-team place at the Liberty Stadium this term
Kyle Bartley has ended speculation about his future by signing a new four-year deal at Swansea, the Premier League club has announced.
The 26-year-old central defender, a reported transfer target for Burnley and Leeds, will now remain at the Liberty Stadium until 2021.
Bartley spent the last campaign on loan at Championship outfit Leeds, becoming a fans' favourite after producing impressive performances alongside Pontus Jansson at the heart of Garry Monk's defence.
Swansea City have given defender Kyle Bartley a new four-year deal until summer 2021
Bartley will compete with Alfie Mawson, Federico Fernandez and Mike van der Hoorn
But after Monk's side failed to secure a play-off spot following a late-season slide, Bartley returned to the Swans and was handed a chance to impress new boss Paul Clement on the club's pre-season tour of America.
The former Arsenal trainee was linked with a return to Elland Road, and also touted as a replacement for Michael Keane at Burnley, but is happy to stay with Swansea.
Bartley told the club's official website: 'Personally the main reason for me wanting to sign a new deal was that I feel I have a lot to prove at the club.
'I gained a lot more confidence and experience from my loan spell last season. I feel a better person and a better player.
'I want to be able to express that on the pitch and fight for a first-team place.'
Bartley spent last season on loan with Leeds United and played 45 Championship games
Most watched Sport videos
- Nike unveils 2024 Olympic uniforms ahead of Paris games
- Ryan Garcia SHOVED by Devin Haney on Empire State building
- Video appears to show footy star in a speeding car
- NRL star Kevin Walters talking about his wife dying of cancer
- Scheffler overwhelmed with gratitude after second Masters title win
- Olympic torch is lit ahead of Paris Olympics
- TikTok star Davis Clarke soils himself during the Boston Marathon
- Football Pundit Eli Aluko speaks on 'Institutional racism'
- James McClean salutes Wrexham fans singing an anti-King chant
- Barcelona fans go head to head with police ahead of quarter finals
- Ryan Garcia proposing to Aussie porn star Savannah Bond
- Amazon release '99' trailer, documenting Man United's treble