Six summer signings relishing Swans Ladies' season

Swans Ladies’ six summer signings will be looking to help the club to glory this season.
Ian Owen has recruited strongly over the summer, with Wales duo Chloe Chivers and Deanna Lewis signing up for the season along with Emily Haywood, Pheobe Ware, Brooke Llewellyn and Kate Searle.
Wales international Chivers will look to be among the goals this season after the striker arrived from Cardiff Met.
Chivers, who has previously played for Oxford United, Cardiff City Ladies and Cwmbran Celtic, is currently undergoing rehab after anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
But the 2016 WPWL young player of the year is counting down the days for her Swans debut.
“I’m very happy to have signed for Swansea City Ladies,” said the 12-cap international. “The coaching staff are brilliant, and the medical staff have been amazing and patient with helping me get back fit and getting back to playing.
“I can’t wait to start and get back on the pitch.”
 

Fellow Wales international Lewis, who has seven caps, is hoping to continue her progress on the pitch back at the club where she was part of the development structure.
The goalkeeper previously played with West Glamorgan, Llangyfelach and Cyncoed Ladies, and is looking forward to seeing what the season has in store.
“I am happy to be signing for the Swans. I feel like it is the right decision for my future development as a goalkeeper,” she said. “I am hoping I can contribute towards the team having another great season.”
Providing competition for a place between the sticks is Haywood, who comes into the squad on the back of playing university football for the past two seasons.
She played part of the recent 4-1 friendly win over Swindon Town, thanks to a brace from Lauren Smith and strikes from Emma Beynon and Sarah Adams.
“I’m really excited to sign for the Swans this season. It’s good to have a new challenge and to be able to play at a high level. I’m looking forward to learning from my team-mates and hopefully I’ll be able to positively impact their game too.”
Midfielder Ware joins her local club after showing huge progression in the last few years with Mumbles Rangers and, most recently, Landore Colts.
A former West Glamorgan and Swansea Schoolgirls captain, Ware said: “Signing for the Swans feels surreal.
“I’ve always wanted to play for them since I started football at the age of seven and to think that now I’m part of such a great club is amazing.
“It still hasn’t sunk in that I’m a Swans Ladies player yet, but I’m looking forward to the season ahead and the next chapter in my football journey.”
 

Llewellyn makes the step up to senior football for the first time. Having been nurtured with Swans Development, she impressed in the friendly victories over TNS and Swindon Town.
“It’s a huge step up in the right direction for my first senior season,” she said. “I feel a great improvement in my footballing ability already and know that full commitment from both myself and the coaches will continue my progression in football.”
It is a move which bolsters Owen’s options in the squad, and he was delighted to welcome Llewellyn into the squad.
“I am really pleased to have Brooke on board - she is a tenacious defender with a lot of pace,” he added. “She performed really well in her first friendly game and showed she has what is required to break into the first-team.”
 

Midfielder Searle, meanwhile, also made her debut in the recent 4-1 friendly win over Swindon.
"I am delighted to have signed with Swansea Ladies and am ready to work really hard both on and off the pitch to improve as a player,” she said.
“I am really enjoying the training and to be able to play in some of the recent friendlies has been incredible. I can’t wait for the season to start.”