Azeem Abdulai ready to push on after new deal

Azeem Abdulai is determined to keep pushing and working for more first-team opportunities at Swansea City, having put pen to paper on a contract through to at least 2025.

The 19-year-old defender and midfielder had been due to be out of contract at the end of the season, but has signed a new deal, which includes an option for a further 12-month extension to the end of June 2026.

Abdulai joined the Swans in the summer of 2021 following spells with Celtic and Leicester, and within a matter of months was included in the matchday squad for the FA Cup tie against Southampton.

He would also be an unused substitute for the Championship fixture against QPR at the end of last season, and went on to make his senior bow as a substitute in the Carabao Cup clash with Oxford United earlier this season.

Those tastes of the first-team environment have left Abdulai hungry for more, and he is keen to kick on.

“When I came here, I just wanted to get working and to focus on myself and my football, and now with the new contract, I can just keep doing what I do day to day,” he said.

“The opportunity to extend my time here shows that I’m doing something well and that the staff have belief in me. It feels really good.

“Looking forward, I can now set myself longer-term goals at the club with my extension and I can start working towards those with the staff, who have been amazing since I arrived. 

“I’ve had a taste of the gaffer’s style of play back in the summer. I had a good stint of training with them.

“Then I made my debut in the Carabao Cup in August and I think anyone’s aim is to get those minutes in the first team. Now, I just need to make sure I’m playing well and hopefully they like what they see.

“The next big push will be for next season, to break into that team. Whatever happens between now and then, I’m happy to be a Swansea City player for the foreseeable future."