Leon: I hope to stay for life

11th May
First team

Leon Britton has revealed that he hopes to remain at Swansea City for the rest of his life after agreeing to become a club ambassador.

Britton has today announced that he is to retire from playing at the end of the season having made more than 500 appearances for the Swans over the last 16 years.

But the fans’ favourite is to stay on at the Liberty Stadium as the Swans’ second club ambassador alongside Lee Trundle.

“I am delighted to be able to stay on the football club as a club ambassador,” Britton said.

“I have been speaking to the club in the last month or so. I wanted to see what their thoughts were and they wanted to hear mine.

“Staying on was a big thing for me – this club is such a big part of my life and it would be difficult not to. I am grateful to have the opportunity to stay on.

“I am really looking forward to the ambassador role. Over the years I have done a lot of work in the community, with schools and clubs and all different things, and it’s something I have enjoyed.

“I think it’s a perfect role for me at this stage and I am looking forward to getting started.”

Britton was born and raised in London, but the 35-year-old’s association with Swansea stretches back to 2002.

Having signed on loan after a trial spell, the midfielder went on to establish himself as one of the Swans’ greatest ever players.

And after more than a decade and a half as a Swan, Britton intends to stay in South Wales.

“This is home now,” he added.

“I haven’t lost the London accent, but I have been here nearly 16 years. I have more friends here than I have in London and this is where my children were born and are growing up.

“My idea, if possible, would be to stay involved with Swansea for the rest of my life. It’s not as easy as that I know, but the ideal scenario for me would be for that to happen.”

Britton spent time on Paul Clement’s coaching staff earlier this season, while he also had two games as the club’s caretaker manager.

The Swans offered him the chance to take up another coaching role from the start of next season.

Britton has opted instead to become a club ambassador, but it could be that he gets back involved in coaching a little further down the line.

“At the moment I just want to have a bit of time away from the football side of things to spend with the family and think things over,” Britton explained.

“In the future coaching is something I will definitely think about. I have had a little taste of doing stuff in the academy and the two games as caretaker manager.

“I will review things as I go along and see what happens a little further down the line.”