Olivier Ntcham has revealed how his Swansea move was impacted by former Rangers sporting director Mark Allen.

The Frenchman, 25, put pen to paper on a three-year contract with the Welsh outfit having left Celtic at the end of last term.

Ntcham bolsters Russell Martin’s midfield ranks and he got down to work with his new team-mates at Fairwood on Thursday.

The former Hoops man spent five years on the books at Manchester City after being signed by Allen, who was the Citizens academy director at the time.

Allen would move on to Rangers and regularly come across his former charge at Old Firm derbies, and told the player that one day – when the chance arose – he would sign him for a second time.

“Mark had a lot to do with the move as he has known me since I was 16 years old," said Ntcham.

“He was the one who brought me to Manchester City and I spent five years there.

“We have a really good relationship, I must be honest and say I did not know he was working for Swansea as I had last seen him at Rangers when I was at Celtic.

“I was talking with him and the coach and our conversations about everything were good.

“It’s true Mark used to speak to me after the games against Rangers (and say he would like to sign me again).

“I used to think it was because he was angry as we used to beat them a lot, but it is true he used to say that. Now it is true.”