Swansea striker Michu signs four-year deal as he 'lives the dream in south Wales'

Michu (left) gets the better of Branislav Ivanovic last night (PA)

The Spanish striker Michu has signed a new four-year contract to keep the prolific goalscorer at Swansea City until 2016, the Premier League club has said.

“It was an easy decision for me,” he told the club website. “I am living a dream here at Swansea. I’m probably enjoying my football more than ever. It’s easy to play with this team.”

Michu has been a revelation this season with 13 league goals, the fourth highest tally in the Premier League. The Swansea manager, Michael Laudrup, has described the player, who also plays as an attacking midfielder, as the “bargain of the season” after he joined from Rayo Vallecano for £2.2 million in the summer.

However, the 26-year-old’s success had also led to suggestions that the Welsh club would be unable to hang on to the player as bigger rivals expressed an interest.

“I’ve read and listened to all the speculation, but it doesn’t interest me and that’s why I’ve signed a new contract,” said Michu.

“I’m enjoying myself too much because the team always tries to play football. All I think about is the next game and helping Swansea be successful. This is my life.”

Michu’s team-mate Jonathan de Guzman has been rewarded for his recent displays with a call-up to the provisional Netherlands squad for next month’s friendly against Italy.

The Canadian-born De Guzman, who scored twice in Swansea’s 3-1 win over Stoke at the weekend, has been eligible for selection by the Netherlands since he gained Dutch citizenship in 2008 but has so far been overlooked despite impressive spells at Feyenoord, Real Mallorca and Villarreal.

The midfielder has now caught the eye of the Netherlands coach, Louis van Gaal, having turned in a series of strong performances since arriving at Swansea in the summer on a season-long loan from Villarreal.