A Review of 2015: Part Two

No sooner had the 2014-15 season ended than preparations began for the current campaign as the first-team squad underwent a slight reshuffle ahead of kick-off on August 8.

Less than a month after the final ball was kicked in May, the Swans made their first signing of the summer as Andre Ayew arrived on a free transfer from Marseille.

The Ghanaian international's move to SA1 was described as a "statement of intent" by French football expert Philippe Auclair as the Swans fought off competition from a number of high-profile European clubs for Ayew's signature.

Three other players arrived at the Liberty Stadium as defender Franck Tabanou signed from St Etienne, goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt made the switch from Holland and striker Eder came in from Benfica as the first-team squad started to take shape.

There were also a couple of departures as defender Jazz Richards completed a permanent switch to Championship side Fulham, while Nathan Dyer completed a season-long loan move to Premier League rivals Leicester City at the end of the summer transfer window.

Sandwiched in between the transfer activity was the release of the new fixtures for the 2015-16 season and Swansea were handed a tough start.

An opening day trip to reigning champions Chelsea would be first up for Monk's men, while an away game against Sunderland was coupled with the visit of Newcastle and Manchester United in August.

The squad returned to pre-season in high spirits following the success of the 2014-15 campaign, and it wasn't long before Garry Monk and his players set off for a week-long trip to Germany to step up their preparations for the new Premier League season.

Following a 1-1 draw against Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach, the Swans rounded off a successful trip with a 2-1 win over 1860 Munich before returning to home soil for three further friendlies.

A 1-1 draw against Reading was quickly followed by another draw - this time against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground - before Swansea stepped out at the Liberty Stadium against Deportivo La Coruna.

A goalless draw against the La Liga outfit meant it was just one win out of five for Monk's men in pre-season, but no defeats meant the side went into the new Premier League season in buoyant mood.

Next stop: Stamford Bridge...