'Walking out gives me shivers'

Fourteen games into his Swansea City career, Joe Rodon still gets shivers every time he walks out onto the pitch at the Liberty.

The local lad, who hails from Llangyfelach, is loving life representing his hometown team.

It didn’t seem that long ago that Rodon, then a season ticket holder, was singing the names of his heroes as they graced the turf.

Now the supporters are signing his name as the centre-back continues to further strengthen his position in the heart of Graham Potter’s defence.

A graduate of the club’s successful academy which has also nurtured the likes of young Welsh duo Connor Roberts and Daniel James – to name but a few – Rodon has made a rapid rise at the Liberty.

A loan spell at League Two side Cheltenham Town last season handed him his first taste of senior football.

Having impressed in SA1 under Potter, the 21-year-old recently signed a new deal which keeps him at the club until 2022. His performances for his club attracted the attention of his country, with Wales boss Ryan Giggs including him in his squad as an unused substitute last month for games against Spain and Ireland.

And he’s loving every minute of life at the Swans.

“Walking out onto the pitch gives me shivers,” said Rodon. “It means so much more being from Swansea and wearing that crest on my chest.

“There are no words to describe it.

“To look back to when I was singing in the stands and move forward to now when I am part of the dressing room and on the pitch, it’s an incredible transformation.

“I’ll never get used to the fans signing my name – it’s amazing and a dream come true.

“I love every minute of it and I hope there are a lot more memorable moments to come.”

Having made a fine start to his senior Swans career, Rodon is under no illusions that he has plenty to improve on.

“The more games I play the more comfortable I will get,” added Rodon.

“Away from home is a different experience from playing at the Liberty, so the more games I play I feel I will benefit from.

“I feel we – not just myself – are getting better game by game. Hopefully we will continue to do that.”