CURTIS Obeng reckons no-one at Swansea City can match him — over 100 metres.

The full-back has signed a three-and-a-half year contract at the Liberty after completing a switch from Wrexham on transfer deadline day.

Obeng made a rapid rise through four divisions when he left the Blue Square Premier for England's top flight last week.

He's no slouch on the track either.

When a youngster at Manchester City, Obeng would train with his local athletics club during the summer.

And the 22-year-old still fancies his chances against the speedy Scott Sinclair — or any other Swansea player — in the sprint stakes.

"There have been a lot of tweets asking for me and a couple of the boys to have a race and I'm open to any challenges," he said.

"It would be close, but I'm quietly confident.

"In the off season I used to go down to the athletic clubs with my dad. I actually had spikes that I used to train with.

"I didn't actually get an official 100m time, it was more about the technique.

"But I was pretty fast."

The former England Under-19 international came through the ranks at Manchester City, where he played alongside the likes of Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge.

He was part of the team defeated by Liverpool in an FA Youth Cup final before being given a professional contract by Mark Hughes.

"We played the final with me at right-back and Micah playing centre-half, so that's something I can always take with me," said Obeng.

"I kept Micah out of his spot.

"I speak to a lot of the boys from that team, Daniel Sturridge and Michael Johnson, people like that.

"We had a really good team.

"Everyone from that team has gone on to do really good things so I was thinking 'I can play at the same level, but here I am and there they are'."

Obeng was told he was close to making a major breakthrough at the Etihad before being released in the summer of 2009.

He became an apparent victim of the recent revolution at City as the club opted to bring in high-profile foreign imports as a shortcut to success.

"Starting out at a big club like Manchester City, training with the first team here and there and travelling away to Europe, I felt like I was quite close," said Obeng.

"I was actually told that I was going to feature in the first team.

"It was quite frustrating. There were times when I had the chance to go out on loan but I was told I couldn't because I was going to feature here and there.

"Nothing came of it so I felt I'd been messed about a bit there and I might have missed my chance to be a professional footballer."

Trial spells at Wigan and Celtic followed, but Obeng was struggling with injury at the time and failed to earn a full-time deal.

Then Dean Saunders stepped in to take him to The Racecourse.

"I had trials at Wigan, but it was quite difficult because previously I'd broken my collarbone and had a knee ligament problem.

"I was really unfit and it really didn't work out.

"It was quite a low point in my career to think 'will I get a chance again?'. That's why I have to thank Wrexham.

"Dean Saunders signed me and I've never looked back."

In two and a half seasons at Wrexham, Obeng made 94 appearances, scoring two goals.

His darting runs down the right made him a favourite with the Dragons' fans, but it was his performance in last month's FA Cup ties with Brighton that forced others to take notice. Though Wrexham were eventually beaten on penalties, Obeng had proved he could compete with Championship opponents.

Rumours were rife that he was set to leave North Wales before the transfer window closed, with Gus Poyet's side among those believed to be on his trail.

In the end, Swansea agreed a fee of around £200,000 with Wrexham for Obeng, who could not resist the lure of Premier League football.

"I knew if I kept improving I was going to get a move to a league team at least," he said.

"Now a Premier League side's come in for me and it's a dream come true.

"I had 12 months left on my deal and I had heard whispers that a few clubs were looking at me, but I just wanted to focus on Wrexham at the time.

"It's always been my ambition to make it to this level, but I didn't think I'd do it in one step.

"I have to thank the gaffer for taking a chance on me.

"He's obviously seen something that he liked and I'm going to do my best to repay him on the pitch."

Obeng's story is like those of so many others at Swansea.

Sinclair had to leave Chelsea for South Wales to make his mark, while the likes of Leon Britton, Alan Tate and Garry Monk have forced their way back to the top after being discarded by other clubs.

Obeng's tale most closely resembles Neil Taylor's, though.

The two full-backs both began at City before joining Swansea via Wrexham.

And the Wales international defender had a hand in Rodgers's decision to move for Obeng.

"I believe the gaffer asked him what I'm like as a person and about my work ethic," said Obeng.

"Neil's done well by me. I guess I'll have to buy him a bottle of champagne.

"When he got the big move to Swansea, I kept in touch with him and he did really well.

"It's really strange, he scored in his last Wrexham game and so did I, so it's quite freaky really."

Obeng may have a lot in common with others in the Swansea squad and recognise at least one friendly face.

But that's not the only reason the defender believes he'll settle in his new surroundings.

"It's quite a similar shape here, with a 4-3-3 formation and full-backs bombing on with holding midfielders.

"I know the basics of what Brendan wants me to do.

"Coming into this situation, I'm not completely lost with what they're doing, I just need to sharpen up here and there and get up to standard."

Obeng is not expected to feature in the squad against Norwich tomorrow as Rodgers looks to integrate him into the Swansea set-up.

But the man renowned for speed is happy to bide his time for a first-team opportunity.

"It's up to the gaffer, he knows what he's doing," added Obeng.

"He's put together a really good team who are tenth in the league.

"I'm not expecting to walk straight in, I'll have to train well and wait for a chance."

Picture: Dimitris Legakis