HE may have only been at Swansea City for four years, but Lee Trundle is a modern-day legend of the club.

The striker brought to the club on a free transfer by Brian Flynn was worshipped by fans almost from the moment he ran onto the pitch to make his debut in the summer of 2003.

Trundle had that little extra bit of magic about him, as was evident during a fruitful spell at Wrexham.

Yes, he was clinical in front of goal. But that was only part of it.

He became the darling of the North Bank at the Vetch because of the way he played the game, his extrovert skills — some would call it showboating — delighting home supporters and tormenting opposition fans.

Trundle was in outstanding servant since Flynn coaxed him down from North Wales.

Swansea had just dodged the drop to the Conference, with the likes of Roberto Martinez — the player — Alan Tate and Leon Britton influential in their successful fight for survival.

But it was the arrival of Trundle that summer which was key in starting the upward curve.

By half-time in Trundle's first game on that year's pre-season tour of Holland, the small band of travelling Welsh fans were already singing about his 'Magic Daps'.

Back home, he scored on his competitive debut, and by the end of his second league game he was already a hero to Swansea's support.

Flynn's team were 3-1 down and heading for grim defeat with 27 minutes remaining of their fixture at Cheltenham.

Half an hour later, Swansea were celebrating an unforgettable 4-3 victory after Trundle helped himself to three goals.

It was a baking hot day at Whaddon Road, and the sun would continue to shine on Trundle.

His showboating skills — the finest of which saw him roll the ball across his shoulders against Huddersfield in September 2003 — combined with his superb goalscoring record made him a bigger favourite than any Swan in recent memory.

Trundle eventually left Swansea for Bristol City for a fee of £1million having scored 86 goals in 156 starts — excluding the FAW Premier Cup — and created many more.

The best of the lot? It is open to debate, but for most it will come down to a choice of two.

There was the jaw-dropping lob against Yeovil in autumn 2005, and the glorious chest and first-time volley which sent Swansea on the way to victory in the Football League Trophy final.

Despite his status as the biggest name in the lower divisions, he never got too big for those boots.

A serial autograph signer, Trundle showed as much class off the pitch as on it, making as many appearances outside football as he did on the pitch.

It was his amiable nature combined with his ability with a ball which earned him an image rights deal, the first of its kind for a player not operating at the top level.

When he left for Bristol, Trundle said: "'I think I've been good for Swansea City, but Swansea City has been good for me too and that's something I will never forget.

''When I was at Wrexham, I just saw it as a club to play for. But Swansea was different.

''I moved to the city and was surrounded by people who loved the club. That made me feel more part of Swansea and playing for the club really pulled at my heart strings."