Llorente keen to kick on after tough Swansea start

Swansea striker Fernando Llorente has admitted he is taking longer than expected to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League.

The Spaniard, who signed from Sevilla in a £5m deal in the summer, bagged two off the bench to help his side beat Crystal Palace 5-4 on Saturday – his first goals since September.

The former Spain international has struggled to hold down a first-team place at the Liberty Stadium, and his disappointing form has hurt Swansea badly – with the club netting just 11 times in their first 12 games.

Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images

“It was crazy, in my career I had not experienced anything like it, and there were all emotions on the pitch,” he said.

“I was having a hard time adapting to the Premier League, and also the team is not doing things, so I hope the next games we improve and everything goes better.”

The forward won the World Cup with Spain in 2010- and said that the presence of his compatriots Jordi Amat, Angel Rangel and Borja Baston has helped him to settle in South Wales.

“The other three Spaniards in the team have also welcomed me really well, because without them I would not know anything,” he said.