Swansea City's Andre Ayew has backing of Ghana

13th July

Summer signing Andre Ayew insists the Swans can count on the support of 28 million Ghanaians this season as Garry Monk's side target another successful campaign.
Ayew, who arrived on a free transfer from Marseille last month, believes the Swans will gain the backing of the entire population of Ghana for the 2015-16 campaign following his move to the Liberty.
The 25-year-old, who is the son of African football legend Abedi Ayew, has starred at World Cups and in the African Cup of Nations for his home country.
And he has no doubt that his nation will get behind Monk's men as they aim to build on last season's record-breaking campaign.



"I have a really strong attachment to my brothers and sisters in Ghana," said Ayew, who returned to Ghana's capital Accra for a short holiday prior to the start of pre-season training. "When I returned to Ghana I felt the warm welcome from all my people.
"They are people who really trust me, push me and want me to get to the highest level. I have been in the national team since I was 17 years old, so all of the Ghanaian people have seen me grow up as a person and as a player.
"From playing at Marseille to competing in the Champions League, World Cups, African Cups and now the best league in the world with a good team like Swansea - for them to see me get to this level today makes them feel very proud.
"My country watches the Premier League every weekend. There are 28 million Ghanaian people and 27 million of those will watch the Premier League.
"They wanted me to go to the Premier League, and although I took this decision also for myself, I took it for a lot of people in my country because they wanted me to be here.
"Swansea now has another 28 million fans behind them because I know Ghana will be supporting us. I thank all Ghanaian people who will be supporting us through the whole season.
"Hopefully things will go well and we will have a great season."



With the Swans currently in Grassau as part of a week-long tour in Germany, Ayew is busy integrating himself into the squad as he develops partnerships on and off the pitch.
And he's been delighted with the warm Welsh welcome he's received from his new team-mates.
"I am settling in really well. The group is good and I've enjoyed training," added the 62-cap Ghana forward.
"It's very important for me to get to know them. Although I've been watching them play for the last few years, I need to get to know them personally and get used to the style of play too.
"The guys have helped me settle in very well. They have been really cool with me, and I thank them for that.
"I've been surprised with the quality I've seen from all the players, and also the quality of all the staff around us.
"We have a very good manager who wants us to play in a certain way. He knows what he wants and we have to listen to him.
"Together we can all help the squad achieve greatness."



While the squad has been put through demanding double training sessions daily, Ayew has also enjoyed his time off the pitch.
With all new signings at Swansea City, Ayew was put through an initiation which saw him sing in front of his team-mates.
"When you join a new team that's what you have to do. It was my moment to sing and I just had to get through it as quickly as I could," he said with a smile. "It's good to have moments like that with the guys.
"We have had a lot of fun since I've been here, but we all know when it's time to be serious and work.
"It's allowed me to settle in very quickly and it's also given me confidence to get into the squad very quickly.
"I hadn't sung for a good few years - not since I broke into the first team at Marseilles. I did a song by some French singers, and hopefully everyone liked it."



After passing his initiation with flying colours, Ayew hopes the Jack Army will be the ones singing to success this season.
The Swans take on Chelsea in their opening game of the Barclays Premier League season at Stamford Bridge.
But Monk's men face warm-up matches against Borussia Monchengladbach and 1860 Munich during their tour of Germany before matches against Reading, Nottingham Forest and Deportivo La Coruna.
"We are getting to where we want to be," added Ayew. "I feel, with the friendly games coming up soon, we will get used to each other in game situations.
"Friendly matches also allow you to get your shape and match fitness up. This is going to help us prepare for the start of the season on August 8."



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