Former Swansea City man issues farewell ahead of Arsenal summer move

Former Swansea City midfielder Charlie Patino has penned a short farewell message to the Welsh club as his loan spell comes to an end following the final round of Championship matches.

The 20-year-old enjoyed a successful start to life at Swansea this season, going straight into the starting XI under Michael Duff and registering a goal and three assists in his first six league outings. Patino would go on to only add two goals and one more assist in the campaign as he fell out of favour with a change of management.

The player started his first league match since New Year's Day last weekend in the 1-0 home defeat to Millwall in what looks set to be his last appearance for the Swans. Taking to social media on Monday evening, he wrote: "Thank you Swansea. Wishing you all the best for next season!"

Supporters of the Championship side flooded the comments with well-wishes, claiming that the midfielder 'should of played much more' and 'wasn't given the chance you deserved'.

Swansea boss Luke Williams spoke about the player's lack of playing time earlier this year. He said: "There are two sides to the game. If you can’t effectively take the ball off the other team then it doesn’t matter how much ability you’ve got. So, the very, very best players in the division can take the ball off you as equally as they can hurt you with it.

‘He [Patino] came to see me the other day off his own back asking if we could have a chat. He was in my office for about an hour and he talks so passionately about football. I think Charlie sometimes, what’s in him, the passion and the love he has for football, doesn’t always come out of him. Just because of his personality, he can give the appearance of being very laid back. Very calm and without intensity.

"But actually inside he’s very passionate and has so much desire. At the top level of the Championship, the physicality is just mind-blowing. I think this is probably the toughest thing for Charlie at the moment. But I think if the team plays with control more and controls the game with the ball more, Charlie’s going to be exceptional. He has a way into the team. There’s no doubt."

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Patino will return to Arsenal, where he has been since joining the Gunners youth academy in 2015. The Watford-born star is contracted at the Emirates Stadium until 2025 but is unexpected to feature in Mikel Arteta's plans for next season - he has made just two first team appearances for the club to date.

Last month, the Evening Standard reported that Patino is 'set for a summer transfer abroad' as he struggles to break into the first team in north London. Any hopes of playing time look to be hampered by the rise of 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri in the position.

The outlet adds that clubs in Spain are interested in signing Patino this summer with Arsenal keen to cash in on the player before his contract expires next summer. Patino holds a Spanish passport through his father Jules, which is believed to boost hopes of a La Liga move.