We've know for ages it was happening, and this morning it became official: Darren Pratley is a Wanderer. But just who have we signed? He was a big name in the Championship last season, but many of us don't follow it as closely as we should. You may have read the BN's 10 Things You Didn't Know About Darren Pratley, which is a good start, but I think we need something a little more comprehensive. So let's dive in.
Vital Stats
Age: 26
Birthplace: Barking, London, England
Height: 1.85m (6'1")
Weight: 69 kg (152 lbs)
Origin: Fulham academy
Position: Midfielder
Career Goals: 34
Highest Fee: £100,000
While Darren has been much lauded for his role in the Swansea promotion campaign to the Premiership, he was also involved in their winning the League One title in 2008, where he made 33 appearances and scored 4 goals. He was shortlisted for "Supporters' Player of the Season" and got a call up for Jamaica, although he never played, perhaps out of belief he could play for England. In the 2010-11 season he made 28 appearances and scored 7 goals, a pretty good tally for a midfielder. However, he does appear to have a habit of taking his shirt off after scoring, something that I as a female supporter am not necessarily against, but I'm not wild about the inevitable yellow card either. A Swans fan has made a rather nice "Thank You" video for his 5 years of service, a compilation of some of his best goals (and abs ahem). As always with these compilations, you may want to mute it.
If you haven't the patience to watch all 2:43 of that, then just have a look at this goal, scored in the playoff semi finals.
And finally an interview with the man himself. Enjoy your football.