John Swift said he was delighted to join Brentford on a one-month Youth Loan and was looking forward to making the step up. The England youth international midfield player joined The Bees from Chelsea today, Thursday 1 October, on a one-month deal. He will remain at Griffin Park until 31 October and trained with The Bees for the first time today ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship match against Derby County.

John spoke to Bees PlayerHD after finalising the move and said it was a switch that had been discussed earlier in the season. He said he always knew he would come if there was a chance and hoped he could bring goals to Brentford’s midfield.

John said: “I didn’t think I would be going out on loan but I was told yesterday that Brentford wanted me and I was delighted. I was very happy to hear that it had gone through. The move had been discussed before and I always knew that if the chance came to go out on loan to Brentford I would definitely go. I have watched Brentford and I think this suits me.”

John progressed through the ranks at Stamford Bridge after joining from Portsmouth and turned professional in 2012. He played for The Blues at Under-21 level when just 16 and helped them win the FA Premier Under-21 League in 2013/14. John had loan spells last season at Rotherham United and Swindon Town after making his Premier League debut in May 2014. He played in the Sky Bet Championship for Rotherham against Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers among others and scored twice in 14 games for Swindon in League One before injury ended his season early.

John said: “I didn’t have the best experience at Rotherham but a lot of players from Chelsea go out on loan and I have spoken to them about the Championship. I didn’t get much game time at Rotherham which was disappointing but I played against Brentford last year, as well as Wolves and Derby, so I saw what the level was like. I know it is a big step up but I am looking forward to it.

“I liked it at Swindon, we were pushing near the top of the table and managed to get in the Play-Offs. Every game was important, playing for three points and promotion. We analysed everything because it was so important. It was a great experience for me.”

John, who described himself as a box-to-box midfield player, said he knew Josh McEachran from their time at Chelsea together. He added he had played at England youth level with Jack O’Connell and would use the upcoming international break to get to know everyone.

John said: “I play in midfield and I like to get on the ball. I like to get in to the box and get on the end of crosses and I think I can get a few goals. I am a box-to-box midfield player. I hope I will travel to Derby and I am looking forward to it. We then have the international break. I know Josh from Chelsea and Jack from England, the break will give me a chance to get to know everyone else.”

Bees Player HD subscribers can see a full interview with John Swift below.