Over the first quarter of the 21st century, the Swans have dramatically evolved from a financially troubled mess, languishing and underachieving in the fourth tier of English football, to become a club with one of the most recognisable playing identities in Britain, achieving eight years of Premier League football, and producing several players sold for over £15M in the process.
But who were the most influential attackers who helped to facilitate Swansea’s 7-year rise from League Two to the Premier League, where the club impressively survived for 8 seasons, won a League Cup, and earned the opportunity to play in Europe?
To determine our five most influential Swansea attackers of the 21st century, we proposed the following criteria, Goals scored, cult hero status and importance to Swansea’s success.
Have your save and vote now.
4. Fernando Llorente
Llorente’s one season in South Wales won’t be forgotten quickly.
The former World Cup, European Championships, and Serie A winner is one of the biggest names to ever represent the Swans.
Llorente joined the Welsh club from Sevilla in 2016 and scored 15 times in just 33 Premier League appearances, including the equaliser and winner in a memorable 5-4 victory over Crystal Palace and a goal against Manchester City.
At the end of the 16/17 seasons, Llorente signed for Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of over £12M.
Season | Appearances | Goals | Swansea’s League Position |
16/17 | 35 | 15 | 15th in Premier League |
3. Lee Trundle
The much-loved striker found the back of the net on 86 occasions for the Swans.
While Lee Trundle hasn’t played in the Premier League, contributed to major cup-winning success (although he did win a JPT!), or ended his Swansea career with a multi-million-pound move, the Liverpool-born striker was pivotal to the Welsh club’s revival.
Trundle, whose tricks and flicks built him a cult following not just in Swansea, but among Soccer AM viewers and general football lovers, too, arrived in South Wales in 2003.
The forward scored 39 league goals across his first two seasons, as Swansea were promoted out of League Two and then repeated his 39-league goal tally in his following two seasons, as Swansea narrowly missed out on back-to-back promotions to the Championship.
Season | Appearances (all comps) | Goals (all comps) | Swansea’s League Position |
03/04 | 40 | 23 | 10th in League Two |
04/05 | 50 | 23 | 3rd in League Two |
05/06 | 48 | 22 | 6th in League One |
06/07 | 40 | 20 | 7th in League One |
09/10 | 21 | 5 | 7th in Championship |
2. Wilfried Bony
The former Ivory Coast striker scored several iconic goals for Swansea.
In wider footballing audiences, Bony may sometimes be on the end of ridicule for his underwhelming spell at Manchester City. But he’ll always have a special place in the hearts of Swansea supporters.
While leading the line at the Liberty Stadium, Bony was, for a short period, considered among Europe’s hottest talents. The striker scored 28 goals in 54 Premier League appearances for the Swans, featured for the club in Europe, and was adored by supporters, who reverberated “Come on Wilfried Bony, score some goals for Swansea” around rival Premier League stadiums.
Bony will be fondly remembered for goals in iconic victories over Valencia, Manchester United, and arch-rivals, Cardiff City.
Season | Appearances (all comps) | Goals (all comps) | Swansea’s League Position |
13/14 | 48 | 27 | 12th |
14/15 | 22 | 9 | 8th |
1. Michu
The Spaniard’s electric form at Swansea was short but sweet.
Michu’s surprise £2M arrival from Rayo Vallecano, where he’d scored 15 times in La Liga the year previous, must be among the greatest value signings in not just Swansea history, but Premier League history, too.
The striker scored a club record 18 Premier League goals during the 12/13 season, helped Swansea to their second highest-ever finish, and notched in the 5-0 League Cup final victory over Bradford City, where the Swans picked up their first and only piece of major silverware.
Despite goals against Malmo and Valencia in the Europa League and Liverpool in the Premier League the following season, the Spaniard could never recapture his sparkling form of the 12/13 season.
Michu’s legacy remains immortal, regardless.
Season | Appearances (all comps) | Goals (all comps) | Swansea’s League Position |
12/13 | 43 | 22 | 9th in Premier League |
13/14 | 24 | 6 | 12th in Premier League |