Year in Review | June
As 2019 comes to an end, we take a look back at the last 12 months for Swansea City. Here we take a look back at June.
The first big piece of news during June was the departure of Daniel James for Manchester United on a five-year contract following a hugely impressive season at the Liberty.
In his maiden campaign with the senior squad, James – who joined the Swans’ Academy as a 16-year-old in 2014 – became a key figure with his blistering pace and a series of stunning performances.
His stunning 80-yard solo effort in the FA Cup win over Brentford in February was one of five goals he scored in 38 appearances for the Swans during the 2018-19 campaign.
Just days later, Swansea City appointed Steve Cooper as head coach on a three-year deal.
The Welshman left his role as England under-17s coach to join the Swans and was also joined by former Liverpool midfielder Mike Marsh who took up the position as assistant coach.
After joining the Football Association in 2013, Cooper led England’s under-17s squad to glory in the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, with the same side finishing as runners-up in the UEFA European U17 Championship.
He took over a Swansea squad which ranked among the highest in the EFL in terms of minutes played by players aged 23 and under during the 2018-19 season.
Later in the month, the Swans also announced the arrival of goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson, fitness coach David Tivey.
On the transfer front, June also saw a number of departures at the Liberty as a number of players’ contracts came to an end.
Club captain Leroy Fer, Martin Olsson, Wilfried Bony and Luciano Narsingh were released following the end of the 2018-19 campaign.
Fer scored 10 goals in 101 appearances after initially joining the Swans on loan from Queens Park Rangers in February 2016, while Bony left after spending the final four months of the season on loan with Qatari side Al-Arabi.
Olsson made over 75 appearances for the Swans over two-and-a-half years after making the switch from Norwich in January 2017, while Narsingh netted twice in 40 appearances after arriving from PSV Eindhoven in January 2017.
