Post by QPR Report on Dec 14, 2009 8:36:17 GMT
BBC
Leon Britton is 'disappointed' with Swansea boss Sousa
Leon Britton concedes he is "surprised and disappointed" that Swansea City boss Paulo Sousa has made public details of his contract negotiations.
Sousa revealed Britton has not signed a new deal that would make the 27-year-old midfielder one of Swansea's best paid players in the club's history.
Britton has had seven years at Swansea but is out of contract next summer.
"I am surprised and disappointed that the nature of my contract talks have been made public," Britton admits.
The former Arsenal and West Ham United youth player was at Swansea when the Welsh club almost dropped out of the Football League.
Britton, who attracted the highest transfer fee for a teenager when West Ham signed him from Arsenal for £400,000 in 1998, joined Swansea on a free transfer in 2003 after an initial loan spell.
And the long-serving playmaker has been instrumental in transforming the club from a bottom division struggler to a team that is flying high in the Championship and is considered a contender for Premier League promotion.
Britton has experienced relegation battles, enjoyed two promotions, suffered play-off heartache and celebrated FA Trophy success with Swansea and has been a regular playing over 300 games for the Welsh club.
Leon is a player that works hard, he has played more than 300 times for us, he knows our game and he is someone we believe in for the present and the future
Swansea City boss Paulo Sousa
But Sousa revealed in a press conference on Thursday: "Leon was one of the players that, when I arrived in the summer, we tried to get an agreement with.
"He was offered the best contract in the history of the club and he did not sign it."
But Britton insists he is "100 percent committed" to Swansea but has "agreed" with the club to delay his contract negotiations until the end of the season.
"My advisor has been talking with the club since mid-September in what have been amicable and productive discussions," Britton wrote in a handwritten statement after Swansea's home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
"And at the last round of talks it was agreed that all further discussions be postponed until the end of the season so that I can focus on my performances for the club."
Father Britton has a young daughter and has previously admitted he has been unsettled by the turmoil of his split with his partner - his daughter's mother - who has moved back to his native London.
Britton's situation will alert a host of Championship clubs as he is a key player for play-off hopefuls Swansea and managers will be interested if he became out of contract and was available on a free transfer next summer.
606: DEBATE
Leon is probably one of the best players we have at our club
Jägermeister Jack
Sousa hopes Britton remains at the Liberty Stadium but the Portuguese manager warned that "nobody is more important than the squad or the club."
Britton, though, insists: "I remain 100 per cent committed to Swansea City FC as my eight seasons have proved.
"I will continue to give 100 per cent in every game I play between now and the end of the season with the ultimate aim of getting the club to the Premiership.
"Any further discussion regarding my contract will be resumed at the end of the season, as agreed."
newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/8410529.stm
Leon Britton is 'disappointed' with Swansea boss Sousa
Leon Britton concedes he is "surprised and disappointed" that Swansea City boss Paulo Sousa has made public details of his contract negotiations.
Sousa revealed Britton has not signed a new deal that would make the 27-year-old midfielder one of Swansea's best paid players in the club's history.
Britton has had seven years at Swansea but is out of contract next summer.
"I am surprised and disappointed that the nature of my contract talks have been made public," Britton admits.
The former Arsenal and West Ham United youth player was at Swansea when the Welsh club almost dropped out of the Football League.
Britton, who attracted the highest transfer fee for a teenager when West Ham signed him from Arsenal for £400,000 in 1998, joined Swansea on a free transfer in 2003 after an initial loan spell.
And the long-serving playmaker has been instrumental in transforming the club from a bottom division struggler to a team that is flying high in the Championship and is considered a contender for Premier League promotion.
Britton has experienced relegation battles, enjoyed two promotions, suffered play-off heartache and celebrated FA Trophy success with Swansea and has been a regular playing over 300 games for the Welsh club.
Leon is a player that works hard, he has played more than 300 times for us, he knows our game and he is someone we believe in for the present and the future
Swansea City boss Paulo Sousa
But Sousa revealed in a press conference on Thursday: "Leon was one of the players that, when I arrived in the summer, we tried to get an agreement with.
"He was offered the best contract in the history of the club and he did not sign it."
But Britton insists he is "100 percent committed" to Swansea but has "agreed" with the club to delay his contract negotiations until the end of the season.
"My advisor has been talking with the club since mid-September in what have been amicable and productive discussions," Britton wrote in a handwritten statement after Swansea's home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
"And at the last round of talks it was agreed that all further discussions be postponed until the end of the season so that I can focus on my performances for the club."
Father Britton has a young daughter and has previously admitted he has been unsettled by the turmoil of his split with his partner - his daughter's mother - who has moved back to his native London.
Britton's situation will alert a host of Championship clubs as he is a key player for play-off hopefuls Swansea and managers will be interested if he became out of contract and was available on a free transfer next summer.
606: DEBATE
Leon is probably one of the best players we have at our club
Jägermeister Jack
Sousa hopes Britton remains at the Liberty Stadium but the Portuguese manager warned that "nobody is more important than the squad or the club."
Britton, though, insists: "I remain 100 per cent committed to Swansea City FC as my eight seasons have proved.
"I will continue to give 100 per cent in every game I play between now and the end of the season with the ultimate aim of getting the club to the Premiership.
"Any further discussion regarding my contract will be resumed at the end of the season, as agreed."
newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/8410529.stm