Nathan Broome | It’s an opportunity I want to grasp with both hands
Goalkeeper Nathan Broome is eager to seize his Swansea City opportunity with both hands after signing for the club.
The 21-year-old joins as a free agent having most recently been at Wimbledon, and has signed a three-year contract - which includes the option for an additional 12 months - in SA1.
Prior to his time with the Dons, Broome had spells in the youth systems at Stoke City and Manchester City – where he began his career - and also enjoyed a loan spell at Mickleover in tier seven of the football pyramid.
At youth level, the keeper featured in England’s Under-17 and Under-18 age-grade sides, which is where he first appeared on Martyn Margetson's radar.
And the chance to work with the Swans' respected head of goalkeeping was a big factor in Broome's decision to join the Swans, with the young shot-stopper believing the experienced and globally-renowned coach will bring the best out of him.
“It feels amazing to have signed for Swansea. It’s been a long process but I’m glad that it’s finally done,” he said.
“My time at Wimbledon came to an end and Marge caught wind of that, whether it was through the England set-up or whatever, that’s how the move came about in the end.
“I had a conversation with Marge. We spoke about what he can bring out of me, we spoke about his experience and I’m so excited to work with him.
"I’ve never crossed paths with him, but every keeper knows of him, so I’m really looking forward to working with him. It’s a great opportunity every day and one I want to take with both hands.
“I understand my role here. It’s not to come here and for someone to say to me 'you’re going to play every week'. It’s a project, it’s for me to work with Marge and push Rushy (Carl Rushworth) and Fish (Andy Fisher).
“My initial aims are to get settled in, start working with Marge and go from there. I want to get on the bench, push every day, and see what happens.”
Coming through at Manchester City, Broome learned to be comfortable with the ball at his feet, with the current Premier League champions putting a lot of emphasis on distribution throughout their academy system, but a loan at Derbyshire side Mickleover appealed to another side of the game that the young keeper relishes.
“I was on loan at Mickelover, which was my first experience of men’s football,” he added.
“That was the best time ever, that competitive edge and getting beat up every week by 40-year-old men coming to the end of their career smashing you … it was brilliant.
“It made me grow up a lot, because I was only 17.
“But I’m a keeper. We’re all mental, aren’t we? If I didn’t enjoy getting beaten up, I’d be in the wrong position. Getting muddy in training every day, that’s the fun bit.
“I was at Manchester City in my early days and saw the club change into what it is now and with the emphasis for goalkeepers to be good with their feet.
“I think that’s the sort of goalkeeper I am, I’m good with my feet, distribution, playing with a highline and sweeping – I think that’s the sort of keeper that I am."