Tate was released from the Liberty Stadium at the end of last season and has long since stated his desire to remain in the area after his playing career has ended. Therefore a move to Newport would seem to make sense keeping Tate in the area but also extending a football career after such a distinguished time playing for us.
Tate has had loan spells at Leeds, Yeovil, Aberdeen and Crewe in recent seasons as his time at the Liberty was heading to an end.
The player was present in the Swans first game in the Premier League – away at Manchester City – and he played a vital part in the game that got us to this level as well as so often in the past 12 years since he first arrived at the Liberty on loan from Manchester United.
“I’m sorry to go, but I’ve loved every minute of it,’’ Tate said upon his release from the Swans
“It goes without saying that I’d like to thank everyone for making my time at Swansea so special – from the club, staff, players, supporters and the city as a whole.
“I’m pleased to have helped the club go from strength to strength since that game against Hull way back in 2003.
“There are probably too many highs to mention them all because they stretch from the Hull game through to the Championship play-off final at Wembley, three promotions, the Welsh derby victories over Cardiff to leading the Swans out at Manchester City as captain for our first ever game in the Premier League.
“There’s even the Football League Trophy victory at the Millennium Stadium because I don’t think we thought it could get any better at the time.
“It’s difficult to name any low points as even the disappointments have indirectly led the club to the success it has enjoyed over the last few years.’’
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