By Paul Jones
Viktor Gyokeres intends to follow the Rhian Brewster route of using a loan spell at Swansea City as a springboard back into the Premier League.
Swedish international Gyokeres made his debut for the Swans on Saturday when he came off the bench during the club’s encouraging 2-1 win at home to Millwall.
Back at the end of last season, manager Steve Cooper had hoped to extend Brewster’s stay with another loan but the Liverpool striker’s impact at Swansea – where he scored 11 goals in 22 appearances – eventually led to a £23.5m move to Sheffield United.
That meant Cooper had too elsewhere for a central striker and his search eventually brought him to 22-year-old Gyokeres who has been on the fringes of first team action at Brighton, who are managed by former Swans boss Graham Potter.
“I heard Brewster did well when he came here, so, yeah, I want to do the same,” said Gyokeres.
If he does, then Gyokeres’ friend back in Sweden, Rueben Sanchez, will be one happy Swedish-Spanish Swans fan.
“One of my friends from Sweden is a Swansea fan, so he told me a few things about the club,” added the striker, who already has two senior caps.
“He’s a Swansea fan because he’s half-Spanish and there were a lot of Spanish guys here back in the days when this club was in the Premier League.
“So, my friend was really happy. He was buzzing and I am also happy.
“I want to help the team as much as I can with my qualities and, hopefully, we can keep going like we have started this season.”
Gyokeres managed seven goals in a loan spell at German club St. Pauli last season and one for Brighton this season in the Carabao Cup, but Seagulls Graham Potter believes the 6ft 2in striker will sharpen up at the manager’s old club.
Brighton loan signing, striker Viktor Gyokeres, enters the field. All six foot two of him. Lowe makes way. Let’s hope he’s a memorable gift from Graham Potter. #Swans
— Julie Kissick (@SwanseaJackgirl) October 3, 2020
Gyokeres added: “I knew they (Brighton) wanted me there and I wanted to be there also, and show myself but I always it was a possibility that I’d go out on loan.
“But when Swansea was an option, I felt it was a really good option. Over the past few days, it became clear it was what I needed and what I wanted to do.
“It’s a big club and a club I knew from before. I knew it would be right for me.
“I’m ready to play. I just want to play football and get the minutes, that’s what I want. This is a really good team, so it’s going to be fun to be here.
“I know about Andre Ayew, he’s a big player, and some of the others as well. Position-wise, I like to be as close to the goal as possible, I would say. I prefer that, but I have played out wide, but I really like to play as the 9.”