Darren Davies confirmed as new Swansea City Under-18s coach

Swansea City has promoted under-16s coach Darren Davies to lead the club's under-18s side.

Davies, from Port Talbot, arrived at the Swans this summer after spending three years as assistant coach at Australian outfit Brisbane Roar, where he also worked under Robbie Fowler.

The 43-year-old fills the vacancy left by Byron Anthony's departure, with Davies' first game in charge coming this Saturday when the under-18s host Cardiff in Landore.

His experience, particularly at age grade level in Australia, lends itself perfectly to the professional phase level which includes working with the Swans’ scholars and first-year pros.

Davies started his playing career in the youth ranks with Tottenham Hotspur, but didn't make a senior appearance for the club. A former Wales Under-21 international, he then joined Barry Town before taking in spells with Scottish clubs Greenock Morton and Stirling Albion. He also played for Dover Athletic, Tiverton, Forest Green Rovers, Merthyr Tydfil and hometown team Port Talbot before ending his career with Redland City Devils in Brisbane.

He started managing Melbourne Victory's youth team, before being promoted to assistant coach, and his credentials were recognised following his appointment as Australia Under-20s coach.

Davies made the step to the senior national team in 2017, when he was part of Ante Postecoglou coaching staff for the Confederations Cup in Russia.

At club level, he led Roar for 18 games in a caretaker-manager role following the departure of John Aloisi, before being confirmed as Fowler's assistant.