Angel Rangel says he feels like a Welshman after signing new Swansea City contract
ANGEL Rangel has admitted he feels like a Welshman after signing a new long-term Swansea City contract.
Rangel, whose previous terms were set to expire at the end of next season, has agreed a new three-and-a-half deal which ties him to the Liberty Stadium until the summer of 2016.
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Rangel
The 30-year-old has proved to be one of the great Swansea signings since joining from little-known Spanish outfit Terrassa for all of £10,000 back in 2007.
And the Catalan right-back has revealed that Wales now feels like home.
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"I arrived in 2007 and I've already have six excellent years at Swansea," Rangel said.
"I am settled here, I am enjoying my football, I have married a Welsh girl and I'm building a house in Swansea — I feel like a Welshman now. I am very happy here on a personal and professional level.
"My new contract will take me up to nine years here, and who knows what will happen after that.
"I'm already doing my coaching badges, so I am interested in that — if that could be at Swansea, then that would be great.
"But I'm not trying to think too much about what I'll do after my playing days are over because I'm concentrating on doing what I can to help the club right now."
Swansea were a League One club when Roberto Martinez spotted Rangel while watching another player in the Spanish lower leagues.
Rangel arrived in SA1 as one of the original three amigos alongside Andrea Orlandi and Guillem Bauza, and he has been a first-team regular ever since.
There were a couple of occasions when it seemed Rangel might move on, but he eventually reached the Premier League with Swansea in 2011 and has now established himself as a top-class full-back.
"It has been a great story for me since my debut at Oldham in League One," Rangel added.
"There was the promotion as champions in League One, then we did so well in building our reputation as a passing team in the Championship during a time when people said we couldn't do it.
"Then we got through the Play-Offs in the Championship against Reading, and that was an amazing achievement. After an incredible first season in the Premier League, people doubted we could do the same again or even stay up — but look at what we have accomplished already.
"We are in the top half of the Premier League, we have 40 points already and we have a first major trophy for the club. What a story this is. We have shown what we can do in the Premier League, now we are looking forward to showing what we are capable of in Europe."
Rangel is the latest in a line of Swansea stars to pen new deals with the club in recent months.
He said: "It shows how well things are going here that so many of the squad have signed new contracts here. The club realise the players are doing a great job and the board and chairman are rewarding us for that.
"We are getting better and better as a club."
6 Comments
by Hadoken753222
Friday, March 08 2013, 5:39PM
“Nice story, I do like our little spanish contingent at SCFC, especially Michu and Chico.”
by seasolder
Friday, March 08 2013, 5:29PM
“Angel-- Welcome now you are a true Swansea Jack.”
by hacker_jack
Friday, March 08 2013, 10:32AM
“Just a shame that the out of touch idiots at the FAW and UEFA seem to think that he doesn't deserve the same opportunity to represent his adopted nation that is afforded to foreign born nationals who qualify through residency in other countries.”
by Philosoraptor
Friday, March 08 2013, 10:31AM
“EDIT: Can you believe it... the "Home Nations" are the only nations that cannot take advantage of the five year residency rule!!!!!
Rangel is not eligible to play for Wales, but if he spent five years in Germany, or Italy, or Brazil, or Demark, or USA, or China etc etc etc. then he would be allowed to play for those countries!!
Here are the details of that ridiculous rule:
http://tinyurl.com/86mgtwy”
by Philosoraptor
Friday, March 08 2013, 10:22AM
“Chris Coleman!
Approach him! He is now eligible to play for Wales and Cardiff's Matthews is simply not up to task of playing against the likes of San Marino, let alone the likes of the Czech Rep! Matthews was the weak link in the last couple of games and we need somebody of good quality at right back, this could be our man and he may realise there is no way he will get into that Spain squad at his age.”
by sagacityrules
Friday, March 08 2013, 8:29AM
“This is excellent news. Angel is not only a terrific footballer, he is a gentleman. As such he brings quality to Swansea and his undoubtedly most welcome in Swansea. Long may he continue to enjoy his residence in Swansea as much as Swans supporters continue to enjoy his presence on the field.”