Down the road they are shouting about pathways and identity, well with no evidence of it bar Dylan Lawlor we take a look at the magnificent work of the Swansea City academy, and who you could well be cheering on next season.

The idea of recruiting locally has always been the ethos of the Swans over its entire history, it’s a documented fact the city has provided more Welsh international caps than any other place in Wales. Thats nigh on fifty players almost reaching a thousand caps. Nowhere else can boast that. The Alice Street story, an extraordinary tale of success. Five internationals from one terraced Swansea street who all played for Wales.

There has been more success proving the point this century.

These days recruitment is more global and far more reaching, outside of the city and south Wales area. We took a look at recruitment recently on the Indy, and the big success of Kyrell Wilson and Filip Lissah brought in by then Academy Manager, Mark Allen shouldn’t go unnoticed. Welsh born academy products bar these two are making a quiet impact on the club, and despite all the shouting and ‘look at us’ from Cardiff City the Swans conveyor belt moves on. There’s always been a negativity amongst certain Swans followers regards the academy. Even when the national side fielded eight current and ex Swans players, somehow people still found issue with the academy.

Senseless.

Stating the club doesn’t give players a chance was debunked when Thomas Woodward excelled for the time he was on the pitch against Charlton Athletic. Plus Sam Parker laying down his own foundations for the 2026/27 season. We will see more.

Currently the Swans will most certainly be testing out the skills and abilities of their new young crop this season in the first team. A few will hit the loan path but we will see Thomas Woodward, Filip Lissa (Falkirk young player of the season) potentially Kyrell Wilson, most certainly Sam Parker with other potentials in Ben Lloyd after a successful Newport loan. The futures of Cameron Congreve and Joel Cotterill will also be tested this coming season, the Swans hold these two in high esteem with both hitting various loan paths in recent years. As we look along the list of potentials we are beginning to see the plan ahead. Lissah and Wilson, Parker, Woodward with Congreve and Cotterill all potentially adding to the first team mix. Lloyd has played at U 21 level for his country as have Congreve and Cotterill. Morgan Bates who has very much come to the attention of Swans head coach, Vitor Matos in recent times is a name we think you will hear a lot more of next season.

There’s one keeper out there in Evan Watts who we have been touting for a few years now. Plus the exciting prospect Harlan Perry who recently signed terms with the club (below)

A lot of the success is of course down to Anthony Wright operating within the academy to produce year on year quality professionals is testament to his commitment to Swansea City. He and his team are acting in a cut throat environment but provide successful pathways for many players. Not everyone makes it and it is certain that Vitor Matos is the decision maker for giving U21 players the nod.

Others have moved on to what they perceived as greener pastures, possibly a word with Iwan Morgan will clarify that ? He spent the last half of the season on loan from Brentford B’ at Shrewsbury Town securing twenty one appearances and notching three goals. He left the Swans for a rumoured one million pounds. Then there is Brogram Popham who has been released by the Swans after he turned down a contract, he obviously has guidance from his agent now he is eighteen. Linked with several Premier League clubs they will most certainly be paying up if they sign him. He is currently without a club as it stands. As he turned down a contract with Swansea the usual tribunal process kicks in once he chooses a new club.

We will continue to review the fine work of the academy as the summer moves on including the likes of Seb Dabrowski and lifelong Swans fan Caio Ifans.(Offered a pro contract) It’s not just a few you know, theres a whole crop of players coming through the system. And many of them are Welsh.

It’s early in the journey as we have already stated but we shouldn’t take our eye off the ball with the sterling work of the academy at all grades. An academy that doesn’t shout too load but just allows their work do the talking for them.

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Apologies for the gremlins in the initial report, that has now been corrected.

Photographs : Swansea Independent, Falkirk Herald & Swansea City AFC