Mike van der Hoorn | It's a fresh start for everyone

Mike van der Hoorn is excited by a fresh start at Swansea City under new head coach Steve Cooper.

The Dutchman, 26, enjoyed a superb 2018-19 season at the heart of the Swans rearguard, and captained the side for the majority of the season as injuries sidelined Leroy Fer.

The former Ajax man made 50 appearances in all competitions – a tally only matched by Matt Grimes in terms of first-team action last term – and adapted well to the leadership role.

It was the most football Van der Hoorn had played during a season in the senior game and, while that meant some downtime during the summer was gratefully appreciated, it also sees the defender eager to get started again.

And Van der Hoorn - on the back of the Swans' training camp in Spain - says it is a clean slate for everyone under Cooper and his new-look coaching team.

"I had a few holidays booked and I enjoyed every bit of it, so I feel refreshed and I was ready to come back," he said.

"I had really been feeling it in the week we came back to train, I wanted to be back here which is always a good sign I think.

"We have a new gaffer, so we have been getting to know each other, we have a good challenge ahead in pre-season which will help us to do that.

"It helps when you have a guy who knows the young players and he wants to help them. We all want to improve, and it’s a fresh start."