Federico Fernandez has signed a new three-year contract at Swansea City.
The centre-back’s previous deal was set to expire at the end of next season.
But after Swans chairman Huw Jenkins revealed the club turned down an offer for Fernandez during the January transfer window, the Argentinian international has put pen to paper on a new agreement which keeps him at the Liberty until 2020.
And Fernandez, who celebrated his 28th birthday earlier this week, is delighted to extend his stay with the Swans.
“It’s a very nice period for me,” said Fernandez, who was signed from Napoli back in 2014.
“It has been good for the team because the results and the performances have been better,” he told the club’s website.
“And to sign a new deal is something special and something positive for me. I am very happy to have signed the contract.
“When I first arrived here, I found a really nice club a nice city.
“My family are very happy here. My little girl was born in Singleton Hospital and part of my life is here because I have been here for almost three years.
“I am happy with the football and in my private life.
“The new contract helps me because it shows I have confidence of the club. Now I am looking forward to the future.”
Fernandez has been a key figure in a Swans defence which has been much harder to breach in recent weeks.
The arrival of Paul Clement has seen the Swans chalk up four victories in their last six Premier League games.
“Since the boss came in, we have been more organised. His ideas in training are very clear,” Fernandez said.
“We have taken that on board. We have talked a lot about staying compact to try to make sure we don’t concede. We are getting better and better I think.
“We have had three managers in a short space of time, but now the players are getting their confidence back.
“We are stronger defensively. Now we hope to keep getting points to make sure we stay in the Premier League.”
Fernandez, who has 32 caps, reckons the Swans’ trademark passing approach will be key as they bid to pull clear of relegation danger.
“I like the Swansea style and I think if we play our football, we have a better chance to win games,” he said.
“We have seen that in the last few games. It doesn’t matter if we are at home or away, we need to play in the same way.”
