Factfile: Leon Britton

We look back at the key moments in Leon Britton’s fabulous stint as a Swansea City player after the fans’ favourite announced his decision to retire.

December 2002 – Signs for the Swans on loan from West Ham United.

December 14, 2002 – Makes his debut in the 1-0 defeat against Exeter City and is named man of the match.

May 2003 – Plays the full 90 minutes as the Swans beat Hull City 4-2 to survive relegation from the Football League on the final day of the season.

2002-03 – Wins the club’s player of the year award, as well as the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year for the Third Division.

June 2003 – Completes permanent move to the Vetch on a free transfer.

September 2003 – Scores his first goal for the club in a 3-0 win over Macclesfield.

2003-04 – Makes 48 appearances in all competitions as the Swans finish 10th in the Third Division.

2004-05 – Plays 35 times in all competitions as the Swans gain promotion to League One in their last year at the Vetch.

April 2006 – Plays the full 90 minutes as the Swans win the Football League Trophy after beating Carlisle United 2-1 in the final.

2005-06 – Makes 47 appearances in all competitions as the Swans narrowly miss out on promotion to the Championship after losing to Barnsley on penalties in the play-off final.

January 2007 – Scores from the penalty spot as the Swans beat Premier League side Sheffield United 3-0 in the third round of the FA Cup.

2006-07 – Wins the club’s player of the year award for the second time after making 47 appearances in all competitions as the Swans finish seventh in League One.

February 2008 – Makes his 200th appearance for the club in a 2-2 draw with Crewe Alexandra.

2007-08 – Makes 48 appearances in all competitions as the Swans are crowned League One champions.

2008-09 – Plays 48 times in all competitions as the Swans finish eighth in their first season back in the Championship.

2009-10 – Makes 38 appearances in all competitions as the Swans finish seventh in the Championship, missing out on the play-offs by a point.

June 2010 – Leaves the Swans to join Sheffield United on a free transfer.

January 2011 – Rejoins the Swans just seven months after leaving the club and admits it was a mistake to leave.

May 2011 – Scores a stunning goal in the Swans’ 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in the second leg of their play-off semi-final.

May 2011 – Plays the opening 77 minutes as the Swans beat Reading 4-2 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley to secure promotion to the Premier League.

2011-12 – Makes 37 appearances in all competitions as the Swans finish 11th in their first season in the Premier League.

February 2013 – Plays the full 90 minutes as the Swans win their first major honour after beating Bradford City 5-0 in the Capital One Cup final.

2012-13 – Makes 41 appearances in all competitions as the Swans finish ninth in the Premier League.

2013-14 – Makes 34 appearances in all competitions, including six in the Europa League, as the Swans finish 12th in the Premier League.

2014-15 – Plays just nine times in all competitions during an injury-hit season that sees the Swans finish eighth in the Premier League.

2015-16 – Makes 27 appearances in all competitions as the Swans finish 12th in the Premier League.

2016-17 – Named club captain following Ashley Williams’ departure and plays pivotal role in successful survival fight after coming back into the side late in the season.

November 2017 – Named player-assistant coach following the departure of Claude Makelele.

December 2017 – Named caretaker manager following the departure of Paul Clement and takes charge of two games before the appointment of Carlos Carvalhal.

February 2018 – Makes his 526th appearance for the Swans as a substitute in the 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.