Getting to know. . . Alex Gogic

As part of our Swans Academy content, we speak to an upcoming talent within the youth ranks at the club.
Next in our in-depth interview is under-21s midfielder Alex Gogic, who talks about his movefrom Greece, his Premier League ambitions and stepping away from the shadows of a famous football father.

To many, Gogic might not register as a famous football name.
But for fans in Cyprus and Greece, the five letters spell out goals, Champions League glory and league title success.
However, for Swans Under-21s defender Alex Gogic the name simply represents his father - Sinisa Gogic and how his fame in football fuelled his Premier League ambition.
"Since I was a baby, all I remember was football surrounding my family life," said the Cypriot-born Serbian.
"My dad is the reason I love this sport. He was a striker and a big name in Greece and back home in Cyprus.
"Whereas other kids grew up watching football on TV, my childhood memories are of watching dad play in the Champions League and scoring goals to win titles."
When aged just three, a young Alex Gogic moved with his family from his home in Cyprus to start a new life in Greece when his dad sealed a move to league champions Olympiacos.
It was a move that would help him shape his life and find a passion for football through the love of his father.



"Those years at Olympiacos were amazing because they were playing some of their best football," he adds. "I remember being allowed to sit on the bench when he played some teams. I would go to training with him every day and watch him from the sidelines.
"Sometimes I would be able to join in with him. Mum would dress me in my kit and take me to the stadium.
"I got to lift trophies with him. It was an amazing feeling for any kid to have that connection with football through your father.
"I would hear the Gogic name being shouted and chanted by thousands of fans; I can't describe what that was like to hear as a kid. It gave me goosebumps."
Inspired by watching his father, it was only natural that Gogic would find his feet in the game by joining Olympiacos' youth ranks.
However, the reality of having a famous father started to frustrate Alex as he got older.
The constant comparisons during his ten years as a young player in Greece led Gogic to Swansea - where the young player was desperate to carve out his own name and career.



"It is nice having a dad who is well known but when you are related to a footballer and you play the game yourself, people are too quick to compare you, which is not easy," he admits.
"I have had hard times where I am referred to as Gogic's son instead of people measuring me on my game.
"Some players would like that, but I prefer to be my own man.
"When I moved to Swansea I knew very few people would know about my father and his achievements.
"I would not change anything of what my dad has achieved, nor the childhood I had, but I just felt it was better for me to find my own path and make my own name."
At age 19, Alex took the bold steps to move away from his homeland to fulfil a dream of playing football in Britain - away from the spotlight of his father's name.
After a trial with Swansea in 2013, Gogic was handed a contract with the club's development set-up.



"I was so happy to be offered a contract," he beams. "It was an amazing moment for me because I was joining what I felt to be the best league in the world.
"The first year here was hard - settling in, making friends, adapting to the style. I even changed my position from a midfielder to defender to make sure I got more game time."
The young player has become a regular in the heart of Swans Under-21s' defence, helping the side lift the Professional Development League Two title last season.
"It was an amazing feeling," adds Gogic. "When I arrived here my aim was to win games and trophies.
"To be champions with the Under-21 squad in just my second year was huge for me - I was so proud to be a part of that.
"It means so much because it shows I am starting to carve out my own career and make a name for myself."
Gogic has featured regularly the Under-21s' games so far this season as the development squad face their first season in category one football. It is a challenge that Gogic is enjoying.
"The move to category one has been great," he adds. "We are playing better football and coming up against better players and teams.
"My ambition is to play in the Premier League - that is why I made the move here and what I am working towards.
"I have my dad to thank for my drive and ambition - he is always going to be my idol.
"He still gives me good advice and watches the highlights of all my games and inspires me to write my own history with the Gogic name."