Striker Liam Cullen says he is ready to repay Swansea City’s show of faith after signing a new long-term contract.
After a drawn-out process, the 25-year-old finally put pen to paper on a deal that keeps him at his boyhood club until the summer of 2028.
“It’s obviously a massive boost for me knowing that they’ve got the confidence in me and they’re committed to me for the next few years,” said Cullen.
“Any player that gets given a contract, it comes with expectations… but it’s something that I want to enjoy the pressure of and hopefully go and deliver.”
Cullen was hoping to have secured his long-term future last season, but the Championship club instead triggered a one-year extension to his previous contract.
“I never wanted it [his time at Swansea] to come to an end, but it is always in the back of your mind that it could,” reflected Cullen.
“I didn’t really let it affect me, if anything I just let it motivate me to try and go and play even better for the club and to try and prove myself even more.
“Nothing is just handed to people.”
Cullen ultimately proved his worth last season, scoring seven goals, and having made a bright start this term – hitting three goals already in 11 games.
Chairman Andy Coleman approached him last week and said, “we want to get this [new contract] done”.
Nailing down nine
Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Graham Jenkins, Cullen from Kilgetty came through the youth ranks of Swansea City with a keen eye for goal.
He made his senior debut in August 2018 and has gone on to score 23 goals in 130 appearances.
He is the Swans’ leading goalscorer so far this campaign and has become boss Luke Williams’ first-choice striker, a position he wants to nail down.
“I played [number] seven last year, which I don’t mind because I want to try my best for the team… but I have always said that I want to be the number nine,” said Cullen.
“I want to be in the middle at the top of the pitch. Hopefully now over the next few years I can do that and score a lot of goals.
“I’ve always scored goals through the ages at this club, it’s what got me in the first team in the first place. I think if I get the chances I am always confident I’m going to put them away.”
Swansea have slipped down to 17th in the Championship, with their last league victory coming away to Coventry City on 21 September – a game Cullen scored in.
But there has been something of a goal drought in recent weeks, with Swansea’s eight goals the fewest scored in the division this season.
They will try and start putting that right in Saturday’s lunchtime game at an Oxford United side just a point ahead of them in the table.
“It’s been really frustrating for us over the last few games,” admitted Cullen.
“It has not been a common theme since the gaffer has come in. Up until this period I think we’re in decent form.
“For us now, it’s about working hard on the training ground and putting that right over the next few games before the international break.”
International breakthrough
Cullen will once again be hoping to be involved in Craig Bellamy’s squad for Wales’ Nations League games against Turkey on 16 November and Iceland three days later.
After playing throughout the age grades, Cullen was first called up to the senior squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers in March 2023.
He never featured in those games, but was given his chance in Wales’ 4-0 friendly win against Gibraltar in the autumn.
Cullen has gone on to earn five senior caps and started the 1-0 win over Montenegro last month.
He says he has been impressed since Bellamy came in.
“The new manager has been really good, he’s brought a more attacking style to us, that suits me down to the ground.
“I feel like it’s a bit similar to here, so it suits us lads from Swansea.
“Hopefully we can finish the Nations League really strong and go into the World Cup qualifiers with a lot of confidence.”