John Swift

John David Swift (born 23 June 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays an attacking midfielder or left winger for club Portsmouth.

Early life John David Swift was born on 23 June 1995 in Portsmouth, Hampshire. And attended Brune Park Secondary School.

Club career Chelsea A midfielder, Swift began his career at Soccer City in Fareham, before moving to Kickers Sports in Eastleigh. He joined local Premier League club Portsmouth in 2005, but was released after just one season. Swift rejoined Chelsea after a successful trial in 2007.

While still an U15, Swift made his U18 debut during the 2009–10 season. He was a part of the U15 team's success in the Junior Section of the 2010 Milk Cup, scoring in a 3–0 victory over Cruz Azul in the final. Swift signed a scholarship deal at the end of the 2010–11 season and was part of the U18 team which won the 2011–12 FA Youth Cup. He made his U21 debut towards the end of the 2011–12 season and was awarded a four-year professional contract in July 2012.

Swift began training with the first team in the latter stages of the 2013–14 season and was rewarded for his form with the U21s by being named as a substitute for the final match of the campaign versus Cardiff City. He made his professional debut when he replaced Eden Hazard in the dying minutes of the 2–1 victory. Swift spent the majority of the 2014–15 season away on loan and did not receive a first team call up.

On 1 August 2014, Swift joined newly promoted Championship side Rotherham United on loan for the duration of the 2014–15 season. He made his debut as a substitute on the opening day of the season in a 1–0 away defeat to Derby County, replacing Matt Derbyshire after 70 minutes. He made his first start for the Millers in the following match versus Fleetwood Town in the League Cup first round, After two further appearances, Swift was consigned to the bench until 14 November, He made just four appearances for the club.

On 3 January 2015, Swift joined high-flying League One club Swindon Town on loan until the end of the 2014–15 season. He began his time at the County Ground by making five consecutive starts and he scored his first professional goal on his third appearance, in a 3–1 victory over Chesterfield. He netted again on 7 March, sending the Robins on their way to a 3–0 victory over Notts County. A fourth-place finish saw Swindon qualify for the promotion playoffs, but Swift made just one appearance in the semi-final first leg versus Sheffield United, picking up a muscle strain, which saw him ruled out of the victorious second leg and the final defeat to Preston North End. He made his debut two days later as a second-half substitute for Toumani Diagouraga during a 2–0 defeat to Derby County. Deployed as a right winger, Swift replaced Konstantin Kerschbaumer in the starting lineup for the following match versus former side Rotherham United and scored his first goal for the Bees with the opener in a 3–0 win over Charlton Athletic on 24 October. He became a regular starter and scored the first brace of his career to send the Bees on the way to a 3–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 23 February 2016, subsequently being named in the Football League Team of Midweek. After overcoming an achilles injury suffered on international duty, he scored his seventh goal of the season in a 5–1 rout of Huddersfield Town on the final day.

Reading Swift signed a three-year contract, with the option of an additional year, with Reading on 14 July 2016. He scored on his Reading debut in a 1–0 win over Preston North End on 6 August 2016.

On 27 March 2017, Swift was nominated for the EFL Young Player of the Year award along with Ryan Ledson and Ollie Watkins.

On 31 July 2017, Swift signed a new five-year contract with Reading, keeping him at the club until 2022. On 11 September 2021, he scored a hat-trick, in a 3–3 draw against Queens Park Rangers.

West Bromwich Albion

Swift signed a three-year contract with West Bromwich Albion on 26 May 2022 on a free transfer. On 30 July 2022, he made his competitive debut and scored the equalizing goal in a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough in the opening game of the championship season.

Portsmouth On 15 July 2025, Swift signed for Championship club Portsmouth on a free transfer after the expiry of his West Bromwich Albion contract.

International career

Swift has represented England from U16 through to U21 level. He made his international debut in a Victory Shield defeat to Wales U16 on 15 October 2010. but he could not help the team to qualify for the 2012 European U17 Championship. Swift made 9 appearances during the U19s' failed qualification attempts for the 2013 and 2014 European U19 Championships. Swift was called into the U20 squad for the 2015 Toulon Tournament and appeared in all of England's matches as the Young Lions finished fourth.

Personal life Swift attended Brune Park school in Gosport and lived in the town until the age of 16.

Honours Chelsea Youth Professional U21 Development League: 2013-14

England U17 FA International U17 Tournament: 2011 Algarve Tournament: 2012