Jerry Yates | I hope I can adapt quickly and help the team

Jerry Yates hopes he can hit the ground running at Swansea City after completing his transfer from Blackpool.

The 26-year-old striker has joined for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance, and signed a three-year contract with an option for an additional 12 months.

The new Swans number nine has made the move from Bloomfield Road, having scored 46 goals in 139 appearances for the Seasiders, including 15 last season.

And Yates, who revealed he spoke to the club’s former captain Ashley Williams ahead of his move, is keen to get down to work with new head coach Michael Duff.

“I am really excited to be here, I hope I can adapt very quickly because I am really looking forward to getting down to work,” he said.

“I spoke to a lot of people before coming here, and I wanted to make sure I had the right advice.

“I spoke to someone who has close ties to the club, who played for Swansea and lived in Swansea in Ashley Williams.

“Obviously he gave me some great advice and, also, I have not enjoyed having to face Swansea over these last two seasons, so if you can’t beat them, join them!

“I spoke to the gaffer and (sporting director) Paul Watson, and everyone at the club has been brilliant with me.

“The facilities are brilliant and I am just looking forward to getting started.”

Despite still being only 26, Yates has been part of three promotion campaigns during spells with Rotherham United, Swindon Town and Blackpool.

He identifies hard work and inner belief as being key hallmarks of any successful side, and he has every intention of showing those qualities week in and week out for the Swans.

“I like to think I am an honest player, I am hard working, I will always give 110 per cent,” he added.

“For me, that is the minimum I expect of myself, even if I am not having the best of games or a tough run, I will never stop working hard for the team.

“You have to work hard with the ball and without, there are horrible sides of the game you have to be prepared to do if you want to be successful.

“It’s about that togetherness within the group, you always have to believe in yourselves. There is an awful lot of talent here, that goes without saying, but I think you need a little bit more than talent.

“You have got to be able to dig deep when that is needed of you, and hopefully we will have that this year.

“You have to expect that there is pressure that comes with the job, like I say the talent I have seen at Swansea over these last two seasons has been frightening and I am looking to trying to help the team to achieve our goals.”