Yannick Bolasie grateful for warm welcome after Swansea City debut

Yannick Bolasie’s Swansea City debut may have come in a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road, but the 10 minutes he spent on the pitch rekindled the love he had playing football as a little kid.

The Swans briefly took the lead after a frantic opening to the game which saw Dan James have a goal chalked off and Jamie Paterson open the scoring all inside the first minute.

Joel Piroe levelled for Leeds three minutes later and – after an entertaining, end-to-end half – Georginio Rutter put the home side ahead shortly before half-time.

James then had one that counted midway through the second half to put the game beyond the Swans.

Bolasie was introduced late on, but received an excellent reception from the 500 travelling Jacks and was delighted to be back on the pitch again as he showed glimpses of the quality he possesses.

“Obviously it wasn’t the result we wanted, but I’m pleased to make my debut," he said.

“I want to thank the gaffer and my teammates for helping me get to this stage.

“I’m delighted with the fans’ reception too, it makes me feel really welcome.

“It’s a great feeling to be back in England and Wales, and then hearing the fans, it was a great feeling.

“I got to get out there and see what the level is like again and it’s giving me even more hunger.

"I’ve always been hungry and I’ve been training hard over the last five or six months for this, so being able to come here and play – I feel like a little kid again.

“Like I said, it wasn’t the result we wanted, but hopefully we can build on it, turn it around on Saturday and get the three points at home.

“I’m looking forward to the home game.

“Home games are always good games, and when I’ve played at the Swansea.com Stadium in the past the atmosphere has always been electric.

“I’m looking forward to feeling that, but on my side this time!”