Former Wales International striker John Hartson has told BBC Sport how he regrets not playing for Swansea City.
The former Celtic striker retired from football this week, after leaving Championship side West Brom a fortnight ago.
Hartson had always said that he’d play for the Swans before he retired but he has failed to live up to that promise, having missed out on 2 occasions to join us.
He almost joined us 18 months ago under Kenny Jackett, but he was currently in West Brom’s first team.
He also held talks with Roberto Martinez and club directors but the 32 year-old said a move to the Liberty Stadium was ‘never close’.
John Hartson told BBC Sport:
| ‘I was very close to joining Swansea 18 months as Kenny Jackett wanted me to partner Lee Trundle up front,’ ‘I had a meeting with the new manager Roberto Martinez and a club director last summer and I told them my desire to play for the club. ‘It would have been a great last challenge for me as I was then lingering in the reserves at West Brom. ‘My mates are fitness fanatics and they would have got me fit for my final fling, I’d have made sure of that. ‘Unfortunately that is not going to happen and following my meeting with Roberto last summer, signing for Swansea was never close. ‘I get on well with Roberto and I have a lot of respect for him, he has done a brilliant job for us.’ ‘I could have joined a club next week if I wanted but my fire to train every day has gone. ‘Once you can’t offer that then I don’t see the point in continuing. ‘Someone my size was never going to play until I was 38. ‘But my back, knees and ankles feel quite good, I just don’t have the enthusiasm to continue. ‘The only club that would have given me that fire is Swansea. |
There was much debate at the end of last year as to whether Hartson would be a good signing or not. Swansea City fans were split in their views, some saying he wouldn’t fit in to Martinez’s style, while others claiming he was just what we needed up front.
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