Extending De Vries' Contract A 'Top Priority'

Brendan Rodgers says extending Dorus De Vries' contract is a 'top priority' and hailed him as the best goalkeeper in the Championship.

The Dutchman's current deal expires in June and the Swans manager is looking to extend his contract, as well as other key players Angel Rangel and Ashley Williams.

Rodgers said:

'He is the best keeper, for me, in this league,'

'Everyone talks about us looking to bring a striker in,'

'But for me Dorus De Vries is as in important, if not more important, because he is unique in how he plays and for us he is vital.

'He is outstanding and the best keep in this league with or without the ball - and you can see why I'm pushing to get him a new contract here.'

When De Vries was asked if he could see himself staying beyond next Summer, he said:

'Definitely.

'I enjoy playing with the guys and they have been absolutely tremendous since I came here. We are a tight-knit group and it is enjoyable to work together.

'The style that we play is really good for me and I fit right in, I have really enjoyed my first three years and lets hope it can become a couple more but that is down to the negotiations - let's hope it can be sorted.'

'I have Premier League ambitions definitely and that is always in the back of my mind.

'As a player you should have that. If you don't have the ambition you can't progress and you want to test yourself at the highest level.

'My ambition is to play in the Premier League and maybe in the future get a sniff of an international call-up - but my first focus is playing well.'

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