The Best 5 Strikers in Swansea City History

There was some interesting discussion on Twitter last weekend around who would make the Top 5 list of strikers in Swans history.   It provoked Jackbot to think about who he would rate as his top 5 – read his thoughts below and feel free to share your own views on his selections.

Jackbot writes: 

Swansea City has always been a club that prides itself on attractive, attacking football. This philosophy has often been spearheaded by exceptional forwards capable of turning games and inspiring their teammates. From the Vetch Field to the Liberty Stadium (now the Swansea.com Stadium), certain strikers have etched their names into the club’s folklore with their predatory instincts and unforgettable moments. This article celebrates five of the finest goal-getters to have graced the famous white shirt, detailing their highlights and what they’re up to now.

1. Michu (Miguel Pérez Cuesta) – A Phenomenon’s Fleeting Brilliance

Swansea Career: 2012-2015

When Michu arrived at Swansea City from Rayo Vallecano in the summer of 2012 for a paltry £2 million, few could have predicted the seismic impact he would have. The Spanish forward wasn’t just a revelation for Swansea; he was a phenomenon across the entire Premier League. His debut season, in particular, was nothing short of spectacular, defying all expectations for a player of his modest transfer fee.

Key Highlights:

• 2012/13 Season: Michu exploded onto the Premier League scene, scoring 22 goals in all competitions, including 18 in the league. This incredible tally saw him finish as the club’s top scorer and firmly establish himself as one of the league’s most effective attackers.
• Opening Day Brace vs. QPR (2012): Michu announced his arrival with two goals and an assist in a sensational 5-0 away victory over Queens Park Rangers, immediately endearing himself to the Swans faithful.
• League Cup Triumph (2013): Perhaps his most significant contribution came in the League Cup. Michu was instrumental in Swansea’s historic triumph, scoring in the semi-final first leg against Chelsea and bagging another in the unforgettable 5-0 final demolition of Bradford City at Wembley.¹ This marked Swansea City’s first major trophy in its history, and Michu was at the heart of it.

  Ability to play multiple roles: While primarily a striker, Michu’s intelligence and technical ability allowed him to drop deeper as an attacking midfielder or play on the wing, making him a versatile and unpredictable threat. His knack for arriving late in the box and his powerful, accurate shooting made him incredibly difficult to mark.

Where is he now?

Sadly, Michu’s time at the top was cut short by a persistent ankle injury.² After a loan spell at Napoli and a brief return to Spain with Langreo and Real Oviedo, he was forced to retire from playing in 2017 at the age of 31. His “90-year-old ankle,” as he famously described it, could no longer cope with the demands of professional football.

Despite his playing career ending prematurely, Michu has remained in football. He is currently the Director of Football at Burgos CF in Spain, a role he has held since December 2019. He has been credited with helping the club achieve promotion and continues to work behind the scenes, using his experience and knowledge to develop the club. He has expressed a desire to return to the Premier League one day, perhaps in a similar capacity.

2. Wilfried Bony – The Powerful Goal Machine

Swansea Career: 2013-2015 & 2017-2019

Wilfried Bony arrived in South Wales as Swansea’s record signing in July 2013, joining from Vitesse Arnhem for a reported £12 million.³ The Ivorian striker brought a unique blend of power, clinical finishing, and surprising agility for his build, quickly becoming a fan favourite and a nightmare for opposition defenders.

Key Highlights:

• Prolific First Spell: In his initial stint, Bony scored 34 goals in just 70 appearances across all competitions, a remarkable return that saw him average nearly a goal every two games. This made him one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League.
• Europa League Impact: He wasted no time making an impression, scoring twice on his debut in a Europa League qualifier against Malmö. He continued to be a crucial figure in their European campaign, including a memorable goal in a 3-0 victory over Valencia at the Mestalla.
• Premier League Consistency: Bony consistently delivered in the league, showcasing his ability to score a variety of goals – powerful long-range efforts, clinical finishes inside the box, and dominant headers. His form earned him the club’s Player of the Year award for the 2013/14 season.
• Move to Manchester City: His outstanding performances led to a £28 million move to Manchester City in January 2015, highlighting his status as one of the Premier League’s top strikers at the time.

Where is he now?

Bony’s career after leaving Swansea was hampered by injuries and a loss of form. His spell at Manchester City wasn’t as successful as hoped, and he later had loan moves to Stoke City before returning to Swansea in 2017. His second spell at the Liberty was unfortunately plagued by injuries, preventing him from recapturing his previous magic.

After leaving Swansea for a second time in 2019, Bony had spells with Al-Arabi in Qatar, and later with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. His playing career has since winded down, with his most recent professional club being NEC in the Netherlands, which he left in 2022. As of now, Wilfried Bony is not officially retired but is without a club. He occasionally posts training videos on social media, suggesting he might still be looking for a new challenge or maintaining his fitness.

3. Lee Trundle – The Entertainer and Goalscorer Extraordinaire

Swansea Career: 2003-2007 & 2009-2010 (loan)

Lee Trundle is arguably one of the most iconic and beloved figures in Swansea City’s modern history. Signed from Wrexham in 2003, Trundle was not just a prolific goalscorer but also an unparalleled entertainer, famous for his dazzling skills, audacious tricks, and cheeky personality.⁴ He quickly became a cult hero, embodying the “Swansea Way” long before it became a popular term.

Key Highlights:

• Promotion from League Two (2005): Trundle was instrumental in Swansea’s promotion from League Two in 2005, scoring vital goals and providing moments of magic throughout the season. His partnership with the likes of Andy Robinson was particularly effective.
• Goals Galore: Across his two spells, Trundle netted 83 goals in 146 appearances for the Swans, consistently finishing as the club’s top scorer during his initial four-year spell. His goalscoring record speaks for itself, but it was how he scored them that truly captured the fans’ imagination.
• Flair and Skill: Trundle’s highlight reel is filled with audacious flicks, rabonas, and jaw-dropping pieces of skill that often left defenders bamboozled and crowds on their feet. He played with a joy and freedom that was infectious.
• FAW Premier Cup Wins: He was part of the Swansea teams that won the FAW Premier Cup three times (2005, 2006, 2007), often scoring crucial goals in these cup runs.
• Unforgettable Moments: Beyond the goals, Trundle provided countless memorable moments, from celebrating with fans to his famous pre-match warm-up antics. He truly understood the connection between the club and its supporters.

Where is he now?

Beyond playing, Trundle holds the role of club ambassador for Swansea City. This position allows him to remain closely connected with the club where he achieved legendary status, passing on his experience and passion to the next generation of Swans players. He also frequently participates in Swansea City Legends matches, much to the delight of the fans.

4. Scott Sinclair – The Winger Who Became a Goalscorer

Swansea Career: 2010-2012

Scott Sinclair’s arrival at Swansea City in 2010 from Chelsea marked a turning point for both the player and the club. Under Brendan Rodgers, Sinclair, primarily a winger, transformed into a prolific goalscorer, playing a pivotal role in Swansea’s historic promotion to the Premier League.

Key Highlights:

• Play-Off Final Hero (2011): Without a doubt, Sinclair’s most iconic moment came in the 2011 Championship Play-Off Final against Reading at Wembley. He scored a sensational hat-trick, including two penalties and a clinical finish, to secure a 4-2 victory and promotion to the Premier League – a fairytale ending to a superb individual season.
• 2010/11 Season Top Scorer: In that unforgettable promotion season, Sinclair was Swansea’s leading goalscorer with an impressive 27 goals in all competitions, showcasing his newfound knack for finding the back of the net.
• Premier League Adaptability: He seamlessly transitioned to the Premier League, continuing to be a threat with his pace, direct running, and improved finishing. He scored 9 goals in Swansea’s inaugural Premier League season, helping them comfortably avoid relegation.
• Key part of the “Swansea Way”: Sinclair’s speed and ability to exploit space were crucial to Swansea’s fluid, passing style of play under Rodgers, making him a perfect fit for their attacking philosophy.

Where is he now?

After leaving Swansea for Manchester City in 2012, Sinclair’s career took him to Aston Villa and then most notably to Celtic, where he enjoyed a highly successful spell, winning multiple domestic trophies and becoming a key player. He then played for Preston North End.

Most recently, Scott Sinclair played for his boyhood club, Bristol Rovers, joining them in 2022.⁵ As of May 2025, he was released by Bristol Rovers after their relegation, making him a free agent. At 36 years old, it remains to be seen if he will continue his playing career or transition into a new role within football. Given his recent release, his future is currently uncertain.

5. Jason Scotland – The Powerful Catalyst

Swansea Career: 2007-2009

Jason Scotland joined Swansea City in the summer of 2007 from St Johnstone for a modest fee, and what followed was a two-season spell that cemented his place in the hearts of Swans fans.⁶ The Trinidadian international was a powerful, intelligent striker whose goalscoring was crucial in Swansea’s ascent.

Key Highlights:

• League One Champion (2008): Scotland was the leading light in Swansea’s triumphant 2007/08 League One campaign, scoring 29 goals in all competitions (24 in the league) as the club secured the title and promotion to the Championship. His relentless energy and ability to hold up the ball made him an ideal focal point for Roberto Martínez’s attacking system.
• Championship Impact: In the Championship, Scotland continued his impressive form, netting 24 goals in the 2008/09 season. This meant he scored an incredible 52 goals in 105 appearances for the Swans, a fantastic strike rate at a pivotal time for the club.
• PFA Team of the Year: His consistent goalscoring earned him a place in the PFA League One Team of the Year in 2007/08 and the PFA Championship Team of the Year in 2008/09, highlighting his consistent excellence.
• Partnership with Dyer/Bodde: Scotland formed effective partnerships with wingers like Nathan Dyer and attacking midfielders such as Ferrie Bodde, benefiting from their creativity and providing an outlet with his strength and intelligent runs.

Where is he now?

After his successful spell at Swansea, Jason Scotland followed manager Roberto Martínez to Wigan Athletic in the Premier League.⁷ He later played for Ipswich Town, Barnsley, Hamilton Academical, and Stenhousemuir before retiring from professional football.

Jason Scotland has transitioned into coaching. He returned to one of his former clubs, Hamilton Academical, in 2017 as a coach specializing in training their forwards and assisting with their youth academy teams. He left in 2019 but then joined the coaching team at Larkhall Thistle prior to the 2021 season, where he continues to work, sharing his vast experience as a striker with aspiring young players.

These five strikers represent different eras and styles, but each played a fundamental role in Swansea City’s journey, providing the cutting edge that transformed potential into tangible success. From Michu’s incredible but brief Premier League stardom to Lee Trundle’s captivating magic, and from Bony’s powerful presence to Sinclair’s Wembley heroics and Scotland’s consistent goal output, their contributions are fondly remembered by the Jack Army, underscoring their status as some of the club’s finest ever forwards.

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