Orlandi signs new Swans contract

Andrea Orlandi originally joined Swansea in 2007

Wing Andrea Orlandi has agreed to stay with Swansea City after signing a new one-year contract with the Welsh side.

The former Barcelona player, 24, could have walked away as a free agent after the end of his current Swansea deal.

But Orlandi, who joined Swansea on a free transfer in 2007 from Alaves, has opted to stay at the Liberty Stadium.

"I had offers from other English and Spanish teams... I did come close to signing for another club," Orlandi told the Swansea City website.

"But in the end there was only one place I wanted to be and I rang the chairman [Huw Jenkins] myself to push the new deal through."

Orlandi, who spent two season on loan at Barcelona, admitted that the managerial change at Swansea left him wondering about his future with the Championship club.

606: DEBATE Great news, I have always been an admirer of his. He may well fit into Sousa's plan quite well A era nova com Sousa (jimmySwanPopz)

New boss Paulo Sousa took over from previous manager Roberto Martinez, after Orlandi's fellow Spaniard took over the hot seat at Premier League side Wigan.

"At one point I thought my time at Swansea had come to an end, when Roberto left I didn't really know where I was," Orlandi said.

"But I spoke to the new gaffer [Sousa] and he told me to come over to Swansea for a chat.

"He said he was counting on me and that's what I needed to hear, so I flew straight over from Spain.

"He told me I had to improve certain parts of my game and I agreed with him.'

"Now I'm just delighted that everything has been finalised.''

Although Orlandi's new contract is only for an initial year, the deal contains the option of a second year.