Planet Swans ArchivesTate has always expressed his desire to stay at Swansea during his career and it was a little bit of a surprise to many when he headed off to Leeds for his loan spell but he is now back and vowing to stay.
Tate has played largely a watching role since the Swans rise to the Premier League but has appearances under his belt including the Swans opening fixture in the division last season at Manchester City.
“I have come back feeling fit and I am just trying to get back into the squad and into the team,” the fans’ favourite said. “Obviously the team have been doing very well so it’s going to be hard to get back in, but at the end of the day I am not a quitter so I will be here giving it a go.
“This is my club. This is where I want to be.
“Who knows what happens in the future. Like I said when I went to Leeds, nothing is forever — everyone’s playing days come to an end at a club.
“It happens to everyone at some point, but I would like it to come to an end on my terms.
“Of course I want to play,” Tate added.
“Everyone wants to play regular football, and I have got the choice of playing for another club or trying to play for the club I love and in the city where I am settled. It’s hard really.
“But to me nothing is different from what I have felt through all my career — this is where I want to be.
“There’s a lot of competition for places — you’ve got Garry Monk, Kyle Bartley and me not playing at the moment.
“But you have to accept that the competition is tough when you are at a Premier League club.
“I enjoyed Leeds,” he said.
“I got what I wanted out of it, which was to go and prove that I could go and play consecutive games after the injury.
“I played a couple of games here at the start of the season — I had one good game and one bad game — but Leeds was about getting used to playing again and getting myself match fit.
“I have done that now. I felt I did well up there and they wanted me to stay, but finances dictated that I couldn’t.”
