It seems that for the majority of aspiring Welsh footballers, Ryan Giggs acts as an inspiration. The Manchester United legend has spent his entire career with the club, collecting a whole host of winner’s medals along the way. Such facts have made him a hero in his native Wales, someone all young players look up to and admire.

And 19-year-old Swansea City defender Daniel Alfei is not about to plug the trend, hoping to one day follow in the footsteps of a player that is almost 20 years his senior.

“Growing up Giggsy was my idol,” reveals Alfei. “He is such a personality within the game that you cannot help but admire him.

“You never see him in the papers for doing the wrong things off the pitch, he only ever gets mentioned for his class on the pitch.

“To still be playing for a club like Manchester United, and be one of the best players, shows just how good he is.

“It would be a dream to represent my country at full international level just like he did.”

Alfei’s chances of realising his “dream” have risen greatly during the last calendar year, with the right back earning three Wales under 21 call ups from manager Brian Flynn.

Alfei, who scored from the spot during a friendly clash with Northern Ireland in February, admits that he was initially nervous before earning his first cap, but now feels like he belongs in that environment.

“When I first linked up with the under 21’s I was one of the youngest in the squad which made things quite daunting,” says Alfei. “There was a little bit of tension before making my first appearance but I soon settled in.

“The squad has changed quite a bit now and I am now one of the most experienced lads in the dressing room.

“Comparing how I feel in the squad now to how I did a few more months ago, I would say I am a lot more comfortable in the surroundings.”

The Swansea born player’s upsurge in international recognition has coincided with his first appearances in the Swan’s first-team.

Manager Brendan Rodgers had enough faith in the young defender’s ability to hand him his debut in January during a FA Cup tie with Colchester United. The Championship side went on to win the tie convincingly 4-0 and Alfei repaid Rodgers’ faith by earning the man-of-the-match award for his mature performance.

And Alfei revealed that he approached his Swansea debut in a similar way to his first appearance at under 21 level.

“I wasn’t sure whether I was going to be playing or not because it was 50/50 as to whether Angel Rangel would be fit,” says Alfei. “But when I got to the ground and saw Angel wasn’t there I knew I was in the side.

“That is when the nerves crept in but the players, manager and coaching staff went out of their way to settle to me down.

“Just as it was with the under 21’s, I ensured my first touch was a good one and went on from there.

“That calmed me down quite a bit and as the game went on I gradually built things up. I was happy with my performance.”

Having been part of the Swans successful youth set up on a regular basis, captaining the side on many occasions, Alfei is now a regular fixture during first team training and is reaping the benefits.

The Swansea number 35 believes that his sudden progression and eye catching debut is thanks largely to working with the senior professionals at the Liberty Stadium on a daily basis.

“Training with defenders like Ashley Williams and Alan Tate every day and being up against experienced strikers like Craig Beattie and Luke Moore is benefiting me greatly,” says Alfei.

“They don’t give me an easy ride just because I’m young and that is good for my progression.

“I have improved so much just from watching how these players go about things on the training pitch.

“The gaffer has also been great with me. His training sessions really help young players like me learn and become a better player.”

And Alfei’s development could be enhanced even further before the end of the season, with the possibility of a temporary loan move away from the club a distinct possibility.

“The gaffer has told me that he may send me out on loan in the last month or so of this campaign,” discloses Alfei. “I’m more than happy to go along with that as there are not many reserve matches to play at Swansea.

“Playing on a weekly basis will definitely toughen me up and help me get into a decent routine.

“There has apparently been a couple of enquiries but nothing concrete. It’s just a case of wait and see.”

As Alfei’s career continues to advance at such a fast rate, it would take a brave man to bet against Wales national coach Gary Speed requesting his services in the near future.

Daniel Alfei was talking to FootyMatters.com courtesy of New Era Global Sports Management