bodde is staying put.

[Jack]

Ferrie Bodde has ended speculation about his future by signing a new contract to stay with Swansea City.

The 26-year-old Dutch midfielder had been linked with a move to Derby County, with Middlesbrough and Reading also thought to be interested parties.

But Bodde, who had two years of his initial contract left to run, has signed a new "long-term" Swansea deal.

"I was mixed up and thought Derby was a step forward," Bodde told the Swansea website.

"I had my head turned by outside parties offering me the world and telling me that Derby was a bigger club because of their Premiership status last season.

"But having spent a long time thinking about it and meeting up with the squad again, I realise that bigger isn't always better.

"It's been a long nine weeks and my head has been all over the place.

"Yes, I've made mistakes along the way and I'd like to apologise to the Swans fans for all the uncertainty.

"Some of my quotes in the media were also taken out of context. They would be picked up in the Dutch media and by the time they were translated into English over here I was being misinterpreted.

"I'm not a fake and I am loyal. I wouldn't have stayed at ADO Den Haag for 14 years otherwise, would I?''

"I love the club and I realise now that Swansea can be as big as it wants to be. The foundation is in place and there's a bright future ahead."

Bodde was a key part of the Swansea midfield that won promotion to the Championship last season, having arrived at the Liberty Stadium the previous year from Dutch side ADO Den Haag.

The midfielder was signed for £80,000 but such was his impact in League One that only a bid in the region of £2m may have come close to persuading Swansea to let him go.

[Scotty]

good that you didnt let derby bully you in to selling

[Jack]

yes it was,also our midfield is looking very good now.cant wait for the season to start now.opening day away to charlton with 3000 plus jacks lol as weve already sold 3000 tickets

[Scotty]

Originally Posted by Jack

yes it was,also our midfield is looking very good now.cant wait for the season to start now.opening day away to charlton with 3000 plus jacks lol as weve already sold 3000 tickets

it will be good to have you in the championship, its been a long time since we played you in the league. what took you so long!

keeping your best players is a good start too

[DerbyDave]

Just glad the Saga is over,and we werent trying to bully the Swans into letting him go.

[Jack]

i myself is also glad its over with but as for the bully boys tactics we will never know the full truth about it as jewel recons it was our fault but our chairman/manager/bodde all recon it was the agent?

[Jack]

bodde scored tonight in a pre-season frendly against neath afc which swans won 0-5 with a crowd of 6000 of which 5,500 plus were swans fans lol

[DerbyDave]

I dont think there was any bullying Derby made an offer which the Swans rejected fair to them Derby upped the and once again Swans turned it down,the biggest problem was Bodde stating he want to play for Derby,and the Media ran with the story,neither team can be faulted.I blame the player and/or his Agent.