Swansea City have confirmed that Leon Britton has returned to take up a new player mentor role within the academy. However, he will also be available to play. He will take up a mentoring role initially linking in with Kristian O’Leary and Anthony Wright. Swans official have stated he is “Expected to help deliver training sessions, and prepare for Professional Development League fixtures, but will also contribute as a player”

It is a move which is seen as pivotal in helping mentor and nurture the club’s young talent as they look to make the transition from academy level to the first team. A very excited Mark Allen announced the move this afternoon. “This is a fantastic opportunity for the young players at Swansea City to learn from Leon — he’s been there and done it, and is a fantastic role model,” said Allen. “We have important principles and values at Swansea City. Leon is a prime example of someone who epitomises the Swansea Way, and that was evident during his long and successful career here as a player, and then as sporting director. He is an excellent addition to the club’s academy primarily as a mentor to these young lads, while he will also be available to contribute as a player at some point in the near future”

“The benefits our young players will take are endless, and they’ll take a tremendous amount from being a team-mate of Leon too. “This isn’t a role which will prevent our players having an opportunity to play — Leon won’t play every minute of every game — it is a role which will bring so many benefits to the young lads in the academy who are hoping to move into the first-team frame. “We look forward to seeing Leon once again play an important role at the club, and I’m sure the Jack Army will be delighted with his return.”

In turn Leon was quick to respond to his appointment have had a bit of time away from football, which I needed and enjoyed with my family, but now is the right time to come back,” said Britton, who stepped down as the Swans’ first ever sporting director in June 2020. I have spoken to (sporting director) Mark Allen quite a bit about it, and we felt it was a great opportunity for me to be something of a mentor to the young lads in the academy. “I have been in these lads’ shoes — I was Britain’s most expensive 16-year-old at the time, but then didn’t really live up to expectations in some people’s eyes. I dropped down from a Premier League club and went to play in League Two, so it was a big learning curve for me”

“Of course, from there I was part of the club’s rise to the Premier League, winning the League Cup and enjoying a Europa League adventure. I had so many experiences — good and bad — throughout my career, and I think it’s a perfect opportunity for me to pass on my knowledge and help nurture these young players. It would have been a really big shame if all of that knowledge wasn’t put to good use. “There is only one club I want to do that at, and that’s Swansea City.”

Welcome back Leon, we wish you the very best.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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