Steve Cooper | Kyle belongs here, he is important for us

28th August
First team
Derby Kyle Naughton

Steve Cooper believes Kyle Naughton belongs at Swansea City and is delighted to have the defender's experience, leadership and quality to call upon for the season ahead.

Of the current first-team squad, only Wayne Routledge has made more first-team appearances for the Swans than Naughton.

Over those 183 outings since January 2015 – which have included six goals – the 31-year-old has featured at full-back, wing-back, centre-back and in central midfield; underlining his understanding of the game and technical ability.

Earlier this week he put pen to paper on a one-year deal, with an option to extend his stay in SA1 by a further 12 months.

And head coach Cooper is delighted to have Naughton – whose previous contract had expired at the end of the 2019-20 campaign – onboard for the season ahead.,

“He is an important player for us, he had some thinking to do but, in the end, he is a Swan,” said the Swans’ boss.

Kyle Naughton

“The players are buzzing that he is back, he is very popular and well-respected because of the level he can play at.

“He belongs here, and he is more committed than ever to crack on and get ready for the season.

“It’s important for us to have his experience, he uses it well.

“He is not the most vocal, but he leads by example in how to be a professional.

“He is brave on the ball and that level of experience is good in terms of bringing that balance to the dressing room.”