Ethan Galbraith became an instant hero with the Swansea City fans with a home debut goal from outside the box to complete a 3-1 Carabao Cup win earlier in the week.
Now the 24-year-old summer signing wants to prove he can do the same thing in the Championship when he steps out for a home league debut against Sheffield United this weekend.
His spectacular midweek effort against Crawley Town showed exactly what the Northern Ireland international midfielder can offer to Alan Sheehan’s side this season.
But the former Manchester United product is no stranger to scoring spectacular goals. During his time at Old Trafford his ‘screamer’ for the U18 team against Man City beat off efforts from Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku for the club’s ‘Goal of the Month’ award..
Galbraith joined United in the summer of 2017 on a one-year scholarship deal after being spotted playing for Linfield U16.
That earned him a trial and he quickly became a key part of United's Under 18 Premier League north title winning team.
He signed professional forms and quickly started training with Jose Mourinho’s first team squad. He made one appearance for them in a European tie. Loan periods at Doncaster Rovers and Salford City followed before he joined Leyton Orient in 2023.
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Now he wants to make the most of stepping up to the Championship – and add to his first goal for his new club.
“I am buzzing to get off the mark. I took a touch and it just fell nicely and I was glad to see it go in the back of the net,” said Galbraith.
“I think there was talk of a move here in January. It didn’t happen but they came back in the summer so for me it was a no-brainer to move with Swansea showing interest again.
“I’m loving it here and the lads have really helped me settle in. I felt it was the right time to test myself in the Championship and I just can’t wait to get it going.
“I’m looking forward to what’s to come. It was the style of play at Swansea that attracted me and when I spoke to the gaffer in depth, everything he was saying is what I’m all about really.
“I’d like to say I’m versatile, I can play most roles and I‘m energetic. I like trying to chip in with goals and assists as well.
“I’ve also played right-back and I’m happy to do a job wherever I am asked to play.”
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Sheahan was keen to get Galbraith into the club and is predicting a big future for the seven times capped Northern Ireland international.
“He was really good switching between the No 6 and No 8 role against Crawley. He is a player we are integrating and he’s got good technical ability,” said Sheahan.
“We just need to get some consistency into him and he can be a very good player.”
Meanwhile, Swansea boss Alan Sheehan says the club have landed a major prize in the loan signing of Brighton & Hove Albion’s Malick Yalcouye.
The 19-year-old midfielder has chosen to spend the season in South Wales despite strong interest from Hoffenheim, Freiburg, Toulouse and FC Copenhagen during the summer window.
Yalcouye arrived at Brighton from IFK Gothenburg in 2024 for a £6m fee, and Sheehan believes the Ivory Coast Under-23 international possesses the quality to operate at the highest level.
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"He is a player who has got a lot of ability, wonderful energy," said Sheehan. "We want good players here, the right people, and for him to buy into it and be here – it's a wonderful coup to have him for the season."
The midfielder is coming off an impressive loan spell with Austrian champions Sturm Graz, where he lifted the domestic league title and featured eight times in the Champions League.
Now, Yalcouye will experience English football for the first time, with his Swansea debut expected when the Swans welcome Sheffield United to the Swansea.com Stadium in the Championship on Saturday.
