Swansea City new-signing Jordan Ayew has told Paul Clement he is ready to make a delayed debut in Sunday’s huge survival clash with Leicester City.
But he the new African arrival is ready to wait for his chance after claiming he’s gone to the Liberty to grow after taking advice from his brother.
Ayew’s elder sibling Andre was a Swansea hit after he made the move from Marseille to South Wales in 2015, finishing the campaign as the club’s top scorer before being snapped up by West Ham in a £20.5m deal.
The pair were together representing Ghana in the recent Africa Cup of Nations when Swansea made their move to land the younger Ayew, wrapping up a deadline-day deal that saw Aston Villa accept Wales full-back Neil Taylor and up to £5m to let their versatile attacker leave.
Ayew, 25, has now linked up with his new teammates after Ghana lost in the semi-finals out in Gabon , undergoing his first training session at the club’s Fairwood base ahead of Sunday’s visit of struggling champions Leicester.
And while Ayew – who will wear the No.3 left vacant by Taylor – is ready to fly against the Foxes, he says he’s looking to make a long-term impact at his new club.
“We have an important game coming up and I am fit and available,” said Ayew. “But it’s up to the coach whether I play a part or not. It’s his decision.
“My debut comes when it comes. What is important is that we get the three points on Sunday because it’s a massive game for us.”
“But it’s a new chapter for me and I’m focused on doing my best for the team by creating assists and scoring goals.”
Ayew is ready to settle after appearing for five different clubs – Villa, Lorient, Sochaux and Marseille – and he admitted some brotherly advice confirmed his feeling Swansea is the right place to make a mark, saying: “For the past three or four years I have been all over the place. I need stability and I think this is the perfect place for me to grow and improve in a lot of aspects. I think I made a wonderful choice.
“I am so grateful to be here; it’s the next step in my career.
“I have been here several times in the past with my brother and I saw a lot of positive things. He spoke to me about the club and he said only good things.
“It didn’t take too long for me to make a decision.”
The forward spent Wednesday undergoing fitness tests to determine his condition following the tournament and travel to South Wales, with a decision to be taken on how much of a part he can play in the build-up to the clash with the Foxes, as well as in the game itself.
Swans boss Paul Clement faced Ayew when the former Lorient man was plying his trade with Marseille and the head coach was working as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant at Parisian giants PSG.
And following the completion of the deal, Clement spoke of his hope that Ayew would make his Swansea bow on home turf against the reigning Premier League champions.
“He is a positive option, a front player who can play wide or central, he is hungry and proving what a good player he is,” Clement said.
“He wants to perform at this level. He had a mixed time at Villa but we see him as someone with talent who can have a big impact.
“I knew him in his Marseille days and he was a talent there, he was quick, can score goals and we are very happy he is joining us.
“He will give us something different. Fernando (Llorente) plays with his back to goal. Ayew will be more dynamic and attacking the lines, getting behind defences. It’ll be great to have a different option.