Thomas delighted with debut goal

Young striker Casey Thomas was delighted to score in his first senior appearance as Swansea beat Dutch side FC Twente 3-1 in a pre-season friendly.

Port Talbot-born Thomas, 18, has only just signed a professional contract.

He scored within two minutes of coming off the bench to put the Swans 2-1 and won an injury time penalty.

"It's the best feeling you can get on your debut and great to be in the squad for the first time," Thomas told BBC Wales.

"I saw the ball coming over the top and I thought I would try and put my head on it and it bounced over a defender into the net.

"The manager [Paulo Sousa] told me to work hard, play to what we've been working on in training and be confident in myself.

"I hope to be in the squad this year or go out on loan to a good club.

"There are great players here and I'm still young at the moment and still have time to develop."

Sousa was keen to praise the youngster who has represented Wales at Under-17 and Under-19 level.

"I'm delighted for him," he said.

"It's very important for him for his success in his career.

"Sometimes the bridge from youth player to a professional player is big.

"When you score like he scored today, you can make the bridge shorter and stay closer to the professional team."

Sousa also heaped praise on Spanish striker Gorka Pintado who scored the Swans' other two goals.

"Pintado is a player who works very hard and is very committed with the club," he said.

"He is a very strong and very powerful player and he will help us, like the others, to improve ourselves and to get results like today."

Swansea visit Neath on Monday night before heading to Spain on Tuesday for a week-long tour.

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