Zabret living the dream

Gregor Zabret says it has been a "dream come true" to be a part of the first-team setup at Swansea City.

The 18-year-old goalkeeper has been training with the likes of Michel Vorm and Gerhard Tremmel, since moving to South West Wales from his native country of Slovenia in the summer.

Following several impressive performances for Swansea's development side, the young talent received his first call-up to Michael Laudrup's senior squad for the home tie against Stoke, nearly a month ago.

Zabret took a seat on Swansea's bench for the Barclays Premier League fixture, replacing the suspended Vorm, and after having a taste of first-team matchday experience, the Slovenian is hungry for more.

"For me, coming from a smaller country, I have always wanted to be part of a Premier League team," said the promising goalkeeper.

"Being in the squad against Stoke was a great opportunity for me because I'm still very young.

"Michel and Gerhard have a lot more experience than me, so it has been good to train with them because I can learn a lot.

"It's a big thing for me. It's like a dream come true to train with them, to communicate with them and to be around them every day.

"Obviously I want to have more opportunities with the first-team, and I'll be training as hard as I can to get there. I am trying to get to their level as quickly as possible."

Despite leaving his home country at the tender age of 17, Zabret feels he has had no trouble with settling in to life in Swansea and is relishing the experience of training week-in-week-out with Premier League players.

"The level is very different," said Zabret. "The pace of the game is a lot quicker, and you have to think more.

"You have to be on your toes all of the time, but it makes you grow as a player every time you train.

"It wasn't a problem for me to adapt because I wanted to come here to learn. I have always liked the style of the Premier League, and I think the style suits me.

"The season for me has gone very well so far. I have played a few games for the Under-21s, trained with the first-team and been on the bench for the first-team.

"I just hope it gets better and better from here, and I'll be ready and waiting for my chance in goal."