Hard work paying off for Kyrell Wilson after signing first pro deal

Swansea City Under-18s forward Kyrell Wilson has hailed the support of his family after signing his first professional deal, which will see him remain at the club until the summer of 2025.

The 17-year-old started his career at Chelsea, coming through the ranks at the London club only to suffer the disappointment of being let go by the Blues.

However, he took that disappointment and used it as motivation to work even harder when he joined the Swans as a scholar in the summer of 2021.

Eighteen months on and he has been rewarded with a first professional deal, and Wilson is delighted.

“It feels good to sign my first professional contract,” he said.

“I’ve put a lot into football my whole life, and this is what I've worked for.

“Football has pretty much been my whole life. My family have sacrificed a lot for me to be here, so it’s amazing to finally take that first big step.

“Everyone around me is really happy, my agent, my friends and especially my family. 

“I was at Chelsea for eight years, then left when I was an under-16. I joined Swansea in the summer of last year, and I’ve loved every second.

“Once I left Chelsea, I realised there was more to be done, so I went away and worked hard and it’s nice to see that it is paying off, although I know there is a lot more work ahead.”

The two-and-half year deal gives Wilson valuable time to continue to learn and improve.

But the young striker – having seen other Swans academy graduates such as Cameron Congreve and Ollie Cooper begin to break through recently – has got his sights set on eventual first-team football.

“I’ll still be a young player, and training with the first team in recent months has made me realise that is the aim, to make my mark in the first team,” he added.

“It’s always a good experience on the pitch, that’s why I play football. It’s always good being out there, and the goal is to consistently be out there.”