Premier League: Ki Sung-Yueng reflects on Swansea and Sunderland saga

Ki Sung-yueng has had a 'weird' year but is back from a loan spell at Sunderland and looking to the future at Swansea City.

The South Korea international appeared to have reached the end of his stay in South Wales when allowed to head for the Stadium of Light on a season-long agreement in 2013/14.

Then Swansea boss Michael Laudrup had deemed him surplus to requirements, despite still finding his feet in new surroundings.

I expected that my second season would be better than the first, but suddenly he (Laudrup) brought in some players and he didn’t give me the opportunity to play. I don’t know why.

Ki admits to being left bemused by the snub but hopes the slate has been wiped clean as he returns to the Swansea ranks under the guidance of Garry Monk – a man who has expressed a desire to see the 25-year-old midfielder discuss a new deal.

Ki said in the South Wales Evening Post: “It was weird.

“The first season was not my best, but I was satisfied as it was my first season in the Premier League.

“I expected that my second season would be better than the first, but suddenly he (Laudrup) brought in some players and he didn’t give me the opportunity to play. I don’t know why.

“I decided to move on for my career and Sunderland gave me the chance to play and compete in a fair situation.

“I have good memories of Sunderland, there are very good people there just like there are here at Swansea. I know these people and they are very friendly.

“Inside my heart last season was not easy as I was watching Swansea’s games and supporting them but I was playing for Sunderland trying to win games for them. I was between each team.”

Ki added on the decisions he has taken to try and make himself a better player: “It’s football.

“I had to move to Sunderland. If I stayed I didn’t think I’d get much chance to play, so it was better for me to move there and play.

“I said to the chairman, ‘I just want to be a better player, I don’t just want to sit here on the bench because it doesn’t help me develop’.

“I am still only 25 years old so I need to improve myself as much as I can, so I can help this team and myself.

“Also, I have to improve in the Korea team. I just wanted to be helpful in every single team.”