Celina: Swans perfect for me

Bersant Celina reckons he has moved to the perfect club after signing for Swansea City.

Kosovo international Celina has put pen to paper on a four-year Liberty Stadium contract after the Swans paid Manchester City an undisclosed fee to secure his services.

Celina arrives in Wales having enjoyed successful loan spells at FC Twente and Ipswich Town in the last two seasons.

And the 21-year-old believes the Swans are the right club at the right time.

“I’m really happy to be here and can’t wait to get started,” Celina said.

“When I heard that Swansea wanted me, I knew straightaway it would be the best move for me because I know the manager wants to play good football.

“There was never any doubt for me. I knew about the club’s philosophy before anybody told me about it.

“I saw what the manager did with Ostersund. I watched the way they played against Arsenal and, when he and the club wanted me, there was no doubt.

“I’ve been at Manchester City a long time, but it was the right time and decision.

“I have come to Swansea because I want to play regular football. I don’t think there’s any better place for me.”

Celina was born in Kosovo but left his homeland at the age of two because of the war in the former Yugoslavia.

He was raised in Norway from the age of two, and played for Stromsgodset IF before being spotted by Manchester City.

He moved to the Etihad as a scholar back in 2012 and was soon handed a professional deal.

He made four appearances for the Manchester heavyweights in early 2016 before departing for the loan stints in the Eredivisie and the Championship.

“I left Norway when I was 15 to play for Manchester City I played in the youth teams and, in the end, got myself near the first team,” Celina added.

“I then had loan spells in the Netherlands and at Ipswich.

“I played a lot of games in the Eredivisie. The clubs there have young players and want to play good football. It suited me very well.

“I wanted something different the following year and that’s why I went to Ipswich.

“That was another good experience for me. It was a different style of play, but something I needed. It was a really good year.”

Celina leaves Manchester City having made four first-team appearances for the club, all of which came under Manuel Pellegrini.

“There were a lot of good coaches at Manchester City,” he said.

“I wanted to play good football and I’ve got no regrets about my time there.

“When Pep Guardiola arrived, I was involved during his first pre-season before going to the Netherlands and then Ipswich.

“I did a bit of pre-season this year but, as soon as I heard Swansea wanted me, that was it.”