Memorable Swansea City debuts

4th August
First team
Harry Darling shoots right-footed

Whatever he goes on to achieve at Swansea City and over the course of his career, Harry Darling is unlikely to forget his debut for his new club.

The defender opened his account with a stunning strike from 25 yards, which was enough to secure a draw at Rotherham United on the opening weekend.

But the young centre-back is not the only player to enjoy a memorable, goalscoring debut for the Swans.

Here, we look back over a few recent examples.

 

LEE TRUNDLE

SWANSEA CITY 4 BURY 2 - DIVISION THREE - AUGUST 9 2003

The striker scored a number of iconic goals for the Swans during his time in SA1, and he would follow up his debut effort with a stunning hat-trick at Cheltenham.

But it all started with a rare headed goal from the former Wrexham man as Brian Flynn's side kicked off the campaign in fine style at the Vetch.

Brad Maylett, who netted a hat-trick, was making his first Swansea appearance since joining permanently from Burnley, but he had previously been on loan with the club.

MICHU

QPR 0 SWANSEA CITY 5 - PREMIER LEAGUE -  AUGUST 18, 2012

Michu had been a largely unheralded signing during the summer of 2012, but that would not be the case for long, and he made an immediate impact with a brace in a stunning opening-day win at Loftus Road.

The Spaniard's first squirmed through Rob Green's grasp after taking aim from the edge of the box, but his second was a trademark Michu finish, opening his body up to steer the ball high into the net.

It was an image that would prove a recurring theme in a memorable season.

ANDRE AYEW

SWANSEA CITY 2 CHELSEA 2 - PREMIER LEAGUE - AUGUST 8, 2015

An eye-catching summer arrival as a free agent, Andre Ayew more than played his part in a thrilling opening-weekend contest at Stamford Bridge as Garry Monk's squad drew with Jose Mourinho's reigning champions.

Showing his technical ability and awareness, Ayew scored his first of 43 goals for the Swans with a cool finish after an initial effort had been saved by Thibaut Courtois.

ADEBAYO AKINFENWA

SWANSEA CITY 1 TRANMERE ROVERS 0 - LEAGUE ONE - AUGUST 6, 2005

This particular debut goal is all the more significant for the fact that it was also the first competitive goal scored at the Swansea.com Stadium following its opening ahead of the 2005-06 season.

Akinfenwa, a popular figure throughout the game who recently announced his retirement, netted the only goal of the game to defeat Rovers and seal three points.

He bundled the ball home from close range after some typical Trundle magic had opened up the defence.

FABIO BORINI

SWANSEA CITY 3 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2 - CHAMPIONSHIP - MARCH 19, 2011 

Swansea City were firmly in the promotion hunt entering the final stages of the 2010-11 season, and the addition of Fabio Borini on loan would prove an important moment in giving them the impetus to finish the season strongly after something of a blip.

The Italian could not have wished for a better start with his vital double giving Brendan Rodgers' side victory over their fellow promotion hopefuls at the then Liberty Stadium.

Borini would end up with six goals in nine appearances as the Swans secured an historic promotion to the Premier League.

WALTER BOYD

SWANSEA CITY 2 RORTHERHAM UNITED 0 - DIVISION THREE - OCTOBER 12, 1999

Jamaica international Boyd was a mercurial figure and the signing of a player who had featured at the 1998 World Cup had captured the imagination of supporters.

His debut did not disappoint, with his brace sealing victory over a Rotherham side the Swans would battle for the division all the way to the final day of the season under John Hollins, eventually prevailing.

MARVIN EMNES

SWANSEA CITY 2 LEICESTER CITY 0 - CHAMPIONSHIP - OCTOBER 23, 2010

Dutchman Emnes scored a fine goal on his debut shortly after coming on against the Foxes.

Racing onto a Darren Pratley pass, the Middlesbrough loanee fired a low volley through the keeper and into the net.

Emnes, however, will be always known for his winner against Cardiff City the following month, a strike which gave him cult hero status.

JEREMY CHARLES

SWANSEA CITY 4 NEWPORT COUNTY 1 - LEAGUE CUP - AUGUST 14, 1976

Son of Mel and nephew of John Charles, 16-year-old Jeremy came off the bench to score twice in the last 15 minutes in a memorable League Cup tie against the Exiles.

It marked the start of a a Swans career that took in promotion all the way to the top-flight, with Charles netting the final goal of the 1980-81 campaign, and the first of the following season against Leeds United in Swansea's first-ever First Division fixture.

JOEL PIROE

READING 0 SWANSEA CITY 3 - CARABAO CUP - AUGUST 10, 2021

Rather like Michu nine years previously, Joel Piroe's signing had rather gone under the radar following his arrival from PSV Eindhoven.

But he would soon become a firm fans' favourite in SA1, and it all started with his goalscoring debut at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The Dutchman produced the sort of finish that would become his trademark, using little backlift but no shortage of accuracy to unerringly steer a Yan Dhanda pass into the bottom corner and complete a comfortable win.

Another 23 goals would follow during his first season in Swansea colours.