He became new Swansea manager Michael Laudrup's fourth summer signing, after Spanish pair Michu and Chico were joined by Villarreal loanee Jonathan de Guzman, and he reckons the similar philosophies of his new club and Arsenal made the decision an easy one.
"I had my education at Arsenal and I do like to play football and play it out from the back and watching Swansea last year that is exactly what they have done so that is a massive thing for me joining Swansea," he told Swans Player.
"I was newly-promoted to the Arsenal first team and I spoke to the boss Arsene Wenger briefly last week just wondering what his plans were for the season and he told me game-time would be at a minimum to be honest.
"For that reason I wanted to at least go out on loan and that was going to be the plan until Swansea came in and it was just too much of a good opportunity for me to turn down."
Young striker Jamie Proctor has also been brought in by Laudrup and the 20-year-old, signed from npower League One side Preston, was delighted to finally seal the deal which takes him to the top flight.
"It has been a long, drawn-out process that has been going on for a while now and it has been a long summer waiting for it to happen but I'm finally here and settled in - I'm delighted to be a part of it," he said.
Source: PA
Source: PA