Joel Cotterill | New contract tops off amazing season

Joel Cotterill is looking forward to more progression and performances at Swansea City after the midfielder signed a new contract at his childhood club.

The 18-year-old has been with the Swans since the age of seven, and signed a first two-year professional deal in the summer of 2022, and recently put pen to paper on a contract through to 2026.

The Wales age-grade international was recently named Academy Player of the Season after an impressive 2022-23 campaign with the under-21s, skippering the side on a number of occasions. 

In the midst of a busy season for the academy product, he also earned his first Wales Under-21s call-up in March for friendlies against Colombia and Scotland, but he is yet to make his competitive debut after being an unused substitute in this month's Euro qualifier against Denmark.

The 2022-23 campaign also saw Cotterill make his first-team debut as a substitute in the Carabao Cup clash against Oxford United last August.

“I’ve been here since a very young age, and I want to continue my journey here. I made my debut last year in the Carabao Cup, and since then I’ve been eager to push on," said Cotterill.

“To get another three years is amazing, and I hope I can have more experiences like that in the near future.  

“Swansea has been my club since the age of seven, and all I want to do is play for this club. I hope the opportunities keep coming this year." 

Cotterill has kicked off pre-season with the first team out in La Finca, Spain alongside his under-21s' team mates Liam Smith, Ben Lloyd, Azeem Abdulai, Ben Hughes and Cameron Congreve. 

And he's looking forward to working under new head coach Michael Duff, who is renowned for giving younger players an opportunity on the pitch. 

"I watched his interview when he joined, and he mentioned working with younger players and how at Barnsley, he had one of the youngest teams in the league," added Cotterill. 

"And it looks like he's keen to give younger lads opportunities, and that's what's exciting for me. Hopefully, in pre-season I can impress and look to get my foot in with the first team more regularly.

"Pre-season needs to be a good pre-season. Cup fixtures are always a good opportunity or a stepping stone for younger players.

"It was incredible to make that step up last year against Oxford United, and if the opportunity is there this year, I'm more than ready to make the most of it."

The midfielder is excited to get started ahead of the new campaign, whether he is predominantly with the under-21s or the first team.

Still just 18-years-old, Cotterill will be considered one of the senior figures going into the 2023-24 season with the age-grade side, having been a regular for the last two years.

"It's going to be exciting. Most of the lads from the under-18s will be coming up and it will be nice to have some fresh faces, and to play with new lads week in, week out," said Cotterill.

"We had an amazing season last year, we got so close to the play-offs towards the end, but the performances we put in were great. 

"Some boys might go out on loan, and we'll have some new ones coming in. But that's what it's all about at this level, to develop ourselves into better players.

"Next season, we want to improve even more, whether that'll be a good cup run or to push for a higher place in the table, and I think we have every chance of doing so.

"I had a chat with my family about the season I've had, and the extra three years is just the cherry on top for me.

"As soon as I signed the contract, it just motivated me even more to kick on and get myself ready for the upcoming season, I can't wait."