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Swansea City used no fewer than nine academy products in the first team last season.

But one young gun the Jack Army didn't get to see was Jordi Govea.

The Ecuador-born talent's move to the Liberty Stadium last summer was seemingly confirmed by local barber shop Trimology who took to social media to break the news of the transfer.

They wrote on Instagram: "After his transfer from Real Madrid’s Academy it's Jordi Govea's first ever trim in Swansea. He’s now fresh & ready. Good luck Bro, we hope you continue to succeed."

Soon after, it was officially confirmed that the youngster had signed a three-year deal with the Swans.

(Image: Swansea City)

“I think it’s a great opportunity for me. It’s a club with a lot of history," Govea said about the move.

“I really like it here. I love the city and I feel good.

“I’m looking forward to getting started as soon as possible.”

Despite the excitement of Govea's arrival, it was always the club's intention for the former Real Madrid starlet to go into the under-23 set-up.

That he did.

But the then 19-year-old's progress in South Wales stuttered as he suffered a string of injuries along with a more serious hamstring problem.

Ironically, Govea's compatriot Jefferson Montero - who appears destined for the exit door this summer - played a key role in the youngster's move to Wales as well as helping him during the dark times on the treatment table.

"Yes, he told me that this is a good place to be that cares about it's football, and even while he was here he was giving me advice throughout my injury and told me to be patient with it so I could be back at my top level," Govea said of Montero.

The youngster trained alongside the likes of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo during his time in the Spanish capital but never made a first-team appearance for Los Galacticos. It means Govea is yet to sample life in professional football having been restricted to just eight appearances for Swansea's Under-23s last term.

But after returning to action in the latter stages of the 2018/19 campaign under Cameron Toshack and Gary Richards, Govea set his sights on breaking into the first-team fold.

Speaking in May about his future aims, Govea said: "Be as well as possible, continue playing and hopefully debut with the first team eventually because I work very hard for that."

So what are the chances of the 20-year-old featuring under Steve Cooper this term?

At present, they appear to be slim to say the least.

Connor Roberts and Kyle Naughton both operated on the left side of defence last season in the absence of Sweden international Martin Olsson who has since been released by the club.

Declan John featured in fits and starts while Cooper has secured the services of an experienced Championship left-back in the shape of Jake Bidwell this week.

Cooper is clearly one to give youth a chance, as we've seen with the squad of players he took to Spain for a week-long training camp.

An incredible 16 of the 28 players currently in the Andalusia region of southern Spain have come through the Swans' academy system or featured for the Under-23s.

(Image: Jonathan Myers)

But Govea isn't one of them.

The left-back - who also qualifies to play for Spain - appears destined for another stint with the under-23s this term, and that will no doubt benefit him as well as Toshack and Richards' side.

Only time will tell whether or not Govea will become a regular - or even feature - under Cooper in SA1.

But after an injury-ravaged debut campaign in South Wales, the 2019/20 season could be where Govea grasps the opportunity to shine with both hands.