Departed Blues midfielder Flynn Downes says manager Russell Martin’s preferred style of play and former Town first-team coach Matt Gill being a member of his staff at Swansea were reasons behind his move to the Liberty Stadium, which was confirmed yesterday.

The 22-year-old has signed a four-year deal with the Swans, the clubs having agreed a fee reported to be an initial £1.5 million rising to a potential £2 million.

“It’s a massive club and I cannot wait to get going,” Downes told the Championship side’s official website.

“I spoke to the gaffer and I just liked the way he came across, the players they have got and it all just added up for me.

“The style of play massively appeals to me, I played against the gaffer’s side [MK Dons] with Ipswich last year and I think we only touched the ball about four times during the entire game.

“So, when this came up, and I knew he was going to be here it was a dream move. The way he wants to play football appeals to me massively.

“I also know Gilly [now Swansea’s technical development coach] from my time at Ipswich, I loved working with him at Ipswich. He is a top man, and that was also a part of my decision because he is a familiar face, but it was also down to speaking to the gaffer.”

Downes has fond memories of the Liberty Stadium having come on as a sub in Town’s 2018 3-2 victory there, Paul Hurst’s only win in charge of the Blues.

“It left an impression on me, big time. It’s one of those stadiums where the fans are quite close to the pitch, it’s lovely,” Downes added.

“You can really hear the fans and I remember that clearly. I cannot wait to step out there with all the fans in, it will be a special day I am sure because fans haven’t really been able to attend and that’s been such a weird thing for players.

“It was weird for us at Ipswich, and I am really looking forward to getting out there with the Swansea fans cheering the team on.”

Photo: Matchday Images

barrystedmunds added 16:57 - Aug 11 Dozzell, Bishop and Downes; all egged up but the simple truth it never happened for them or us. Not to say they won't progress but at some stage a decision had to made. Rightly or wrongly they needed to move on, it's a pity we didn't get more for Bishop but they're history, move on.
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dyersdream added 17:09 - Aug 11 He was sh1te here anyway
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waldenblue7 added 17:27 - Aug 11 Best of luck Flynn, never reached your full potential I'm afraid
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legoman added 18:20 - Aug 11 Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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Crinkle59 added 21:55 - Aug 11 He only said what he felt ,fair enough , yes he was upset from the CP transfer time (I never turned promotion down ) ,lost the chance of better football ,as for Style -PC didn't change the style of play over 16 games from that played before so I can see his point .It is now up to the new players to prove PC right.
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patrickswell added 21:57 - Aug 11 Good riddance to him. Attitude and mindset was shocking last year.
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Juggsy added 22:53 - Aug 11 When I look at Evans and Harper, I'm scratching my head as to how it's deemed a mistake to let Downes leave. Massive upgrade imo.
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Juggsy added 22:56 - Aug 11 Makes our bomb squad midfield a bit worse lol
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Eddie1985 added 05:08 - Aug 12 Jugsy do you not think there is a reason why Evans and harper have dropped to L1 while downes has gone up a level. Can anyone realistically blame downes he was in L1 under lambert shambolic management when a Premier league club came in for him with a realistic bid very similar to the one we have since accepted and we held him back. Then cook. comes in and instead of convincing him to stay he bungs him in the reserves... How would u feel?

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Crinkle59 added 08:24 - Aug 12 Downes said as he felt, he was stopped from moving to a higher division and was upset . PC had 16 games to change the system but didn't so good luck to him now playing in a team that plays the style that suits him.
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Crinkle59 added 08:34 - Aug 12 Downes said what he believes .He was stopped from moving up, was naturally upset. PC had plenty of time to change the system but didn't so he now is in a team that plays as he wants. Good luck to him.
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Pettabelieveit added 11:11 - Aug 12 Crinkles59 I don't know if that's how Downes conducted himself, but that's not an attitude to be accepted from any player, especially an academy graduate that fans are so desperate to see so well.
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coolhand added 08:36 - Aug 13 Hi Blue, when some one shows and interest in what you are doing etc. You want to know the story. This happen last season to FD and the manager, his option, refused to let that happen and agents of both parties forced the issue. FD was still committed to Ipswich and when PC came in Dozzell, Bishop And Downes were looked as ways of recruiting other players without spending above the cap.

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