Graham Potter’s first signings at Swansea City, including Jordi Govea and Joel Asoro, struggled to make an impact in the first team and eventually moved elsewhere.- Barrie McKay initially had a promising debut season at Swansea, but his game time declined in the following years, leading to loan moves and eventually a return to Scotland with Hearts.
- Bersant Celina enjoyed a successful spell at Swansea, contributing 11 goals in his first season, but has since moved to various clubs on loan, including AIK where he currently plays.
- Graham Potter enjoyed a respectable debut Championship campaign following Swansea City’s relegation.
The Swans’ seven-season stint in the Premier League came to an end in 2018 with the South Wales outfit taking a punt on Östersunds boss Graham Potter after the former Birmingham City defender took the Swedish side on a historic Europa League knockout run the previous year.
Swansea saw several first-team stars depart upon relegation, the likes of Łukasz Fabiański, Federico Fernández and Roque Mesa the standout departures, with Potter’s new side preparing for the financial and competitive challenges in the Championship.
Coming the other way, the Swans utilised both domestic and foreign markets to strengthen their squad with seven summer signings brought in to help challenge for an instant promotion.
The Jacks recorded a 10th-place finish, nine points off the play-off picture to lay down the foundations for another positive return the following year.
While Swansea found themselves mid-table, Potter’s stock continued to rise with Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion appointing him as head coach one year on, leading the Seagulls’ impeccable rise up the top flight before the big move to Chelsea last season.
Meanwhile, we return to the Swansea.com Stadium to see how Potter’s first five signings performed in South Wales and where their career took them over recent years.
- Govea arrived on a three-year deal from Real Madrid to become Potter’s first signing while at the helm, with the academy product initially linking up with the U23s setup.
The Ecuadorian-born defender was unable to break into the first-team squad, however, making four appearances in the Premier League 2 for Swansea City with injury hampering his start to life in South Wales.
Govea departed at the end of his contract, signing for FC Cincinnati 2 in 2022 after having a trial at Birmingham City earlier in the year.
The left-back has since moved to Bulgarian top-flight side Beroe ahead of this season, where he has become a regular for the Greens.
Utilising his knowledge of Swedish talent, Potter acquired 19-year-old Joel Asoro from Sunderland on a four-year deal after the teenager showcased some impressive cameos for the Black Cats.
The Swedish international, however, struggled to break into the starting eleven, making four starts in 14 Championship appearances for the Swans, recording one assist.
The winger made a temporary switch to FC Groningen the following season, playing 15 times in the Eredivisie before the season was curtailed.
The now 24-year-old failed to make an appearance in his next loan move to Genoa and subsequently moved back to Sweden with Djurgårdens IF in 2021, where he enjoyed his first run of regular game time, playing 71 times across three seasons in the Allsvenkan, scoring 12 times.
