Meade ready to reinvent himself with Luton

Swansea City youngster Jernade Meade can’t wait to get his career back on track in a new position at Kenilworth Road, writes Mike Simmonds.
Jernade MeadeJernade Meade
Jernade Meade

The 21-year-old has played predominantly as a left back during his career, even starting for Arsenal in a Champions League tie.

But he now wants a chance further upfield, which is what swayed his move to Luton until the end of the season.

He said: “I’ve played most of my career at left-back and have been trying to get out on loan for a while now.

“But every time, I’m getting bored of hearing it now, people saying we like him, he’s a good player but, at left back, we don’t see him making it at left-back because of my height.

“I used to play left midfield before, at U16s level and U18s level, so I’m capable of playing there.

“It’s giving me the opportunity to reinvent my position, which I can’t wait and that’s why I’ve come here.

“The gaffer wants me to play left midfield and it’s a great opportunity for me to show what I can do.”

On just how the deal came about, Hatters boss John Still added: “We were alerted about Jernade, the boy at Swansea who comes from Luton and used to be at Arsenal.

“I’m not saying I know all Arsenal players, but I know most, and I couldn’t quite get my head round it.

“I looked through some old programmes and development sheets and saw his name.

“He played left back at Arsenal and I’ve seen him play in a three in midfield on the left hand side and just ticked him off as being competitive, passed it well, so I rung Arsenal.

“Tony Roberts is the goalkeeping coach, my old goalkeeper and Terry Burton who does the development games, is an old pal of mine, fortunately I got them both together.

“They told me about the boy, they said he was very good, competitive, can play, can run, can tackle, not the biggest.

“They said he’s alright, so we enquired and I have to say Swansea bent over backwards to help.”

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