The Swans age grade sides, to some are a pretty unknown entity. Even with free games to watch at the Swans.Com there’s plenty to watch and enjoy. And the Swans have some real jewels ready to make the move upwards.
Despite the odd circumstances of Kristian Fletcher’s loan from DC United last season, the talk was he wasn’t able to play for the first team, he is now on loan at Nottingham Forest. And of course the club banked some big money for a young player in Iwan Morgan leaving for Brentford, there’s still some real quality waiting to make the step up.
The welcome return of Kyrell Wilson (19) is great news. He is a natural goalscorer who can play across the forward line. The Swans signed him after his contract at Chelsea wasn’t renewed, and the academy have developed him into an exciting player who can score goals with both feet and his head. His goalscoring record was phenomenal for the under 18 side, he then moved up to the under 21’s and he just couldn’t stop scoring. He was signed by Mark Allen and his team along with centre-back David Roberts, defender Filip Lissah and left-back Zane Myers, all from Chelsea. A number of fans were not happy with the club signing younger players from elite premier league clubs, but in the case of Lissah and Wilson it has most certainly paid off. Adrian Akande was another arrival from Chelsea after Covid. He is now at Reading U21 and Myers is at the same level at Hull City. Dave Roberts was released this summer.
With Wilson there is Filip Lissah, an impressive defender who is still at the Swans, he has seen bench time - and alongside Wilson has trained with the first team. Kyrell announced his return in the 0-6 drubbing of Fleetwood Town recently in spectacular style scoring two goals and aiding one other. With some careful management for the next month or so Kyrell really should be back on the cusp of the first team. In Lissah’s case he is a defender but has featured as a centre forward during his time at the Swans age grade sides. Wilson’s contract runs out at the end of this season, more urgent attention required. Lissah has until 2027, and we understand there’s a one year option.
Sammy Henia-Kamau Is another bright signing, he came from Jersey Bulls and the brief on that is below. He scores goals and has slowly adapted to life in the under 21 side after impressing in the under 18 set up.
Click here for info —> ⚽️ Sammy joins the Swans
Signing his first professional contract in the summer Sammy is most certainly destined for a career in full time football. Like Wilson and Lissah he works on his game relentlessly, and recognises it’s as much about his off field behaviour as it is on the pitch. Hence the word ‘professional’ I suppose.
Joel Cotteril, Cameron Congreve and Josh Thomas are all out on loan, as is Liam Smith whose contract runs to the end of this season. He is at Patrick Thistle. Liam has been on the bench for all the clubs challenge cup and league games but has only seen a couple of minutes game time to date.
We move on to Sam Parker, now a fully signed up member of the Swans pro contract club until 2028, sense being seen all round to get that deal confirmed. He was a shining light making the step up from the under 21 side last season before a really nasty injury. He will be bedded in by the under 21’s and will most certainly feature for the first team this season, if all goes well with his injury. Another disruptive and long term injury was to Aimar Govea, he too took a long time to rehabilitate. However, his circumstances are the same as Parker, get fitter and will soon be pressing for a return to the first team. The Spaniard is keen to do so, both he and Parker, if they can remain fit will be a strong source of energy as first team games reach their final third.
When you look at the under 21 side the Swans are blessed with some excellent talent. That big step up is the next big test, the discipline required, the close attention to personal development, listening, learning and being totally professional. That must Include not listening to outside noise, even parents, and those who think they know best. Let your feet do the talking and leave the less than knowledgable to be just that.
There are others to be looking out for, Sebastian Dabrowski and Ben Lloyd both impressive in their last starts for the Swans. Then there’s Glory Nzongo, an Irish age grade international, Dublin born and bred, he signed last year from Stade de Reims, another youngster who has caught the eye. Maliq Cadogan has until the end of this season to impress the Swans under 21 set up, but he will have to do that via the national league north for Kidderminster Harriers. He’s had some good games and has featured on eight occasions. Joining the Swans from Crystal Palace, a season in the midlands is definitely Maliq’s crossroads come next summer, when he is out of contract.
Welsh international Dan Watts who has really come through the ranks to the under 21 squad is now an under 19 Welsh international. Harry Jones looked like a real find when he signed for the Swans from Arsenal, he now, much the same as Maliq has this season to prove he can cut it at the Swans level. He is on loan to Weymouth currently.
All of our featured players are aged around twenty or under, they carry a burning desire to be professional footballers for the length of their young adult lives. We are here to support them. Watch the Swans for free at the Swansea.Com on Monday, September 23 (3pm kick-off).