By Gareth Vincent
South Wales Evening Post

Once hailed as the next Paul Gascoigne, Mark Gower arrives at Swansea City charged with the task of becoming the new Andy Robinson.

Gower checked in at the Liberty Stadium yesterday after turning down a new deal at Southend - as well as reported offers from Blackpool and Nottingham Forest - to sign for Swansea on a deal which will run for at least two years.

He arrives with a considerable reputation around the Football League having consistently supplied attacking menace from Southend's midfield over the last five seasons.

But any expectation now is nothing compared to the days when Gower, a Tottenham player and England Youth star, was likened to Gascoigne.

"I think there have been a few 'new Paul Gascoignes' but they haven't really materialised," the 29-year-old says through a smile.

"That came from my early career when I was playing for England and Spurs, but I'm not sure about the comparisons.

"If I could be half the player Gazza was, I would be very happy."

For all his early promise, Gower was not able to push on and break through at English football's top level.

But mention of Gascoigne gives an idea of the kind of player Roberto Martinez has landed following Robinson's decision to quit Wales for Leeds.

As much as the Scouser's exit hurt many Swansea followers, success for Gower would very quickly sooth the pain.

"I'm a ball-carrier," Gower adds.

"I like to get the ball down and play, to link up, to pass, to get crosses in and to score a few goals.

"You can never be sure but, hopefully, my style will fit in with Swansea's and I can show some of that to the fans."

Gower's exit has caused consternation at Roots Hall, where he has been a star performer during some fruitful recent campaigns.

But Swansea's loftier league status convinced Gower it was time to say goodbye to Southend.

"I've got affection for Southend after five years, but I felt the time was right to try to push on in my career," he says.

"Coming to Swansea, and playing in the Championship, gives me that opportunity and it's one I'm hoping to grasp.

"I had one year at this level with Southend and on a personal note I thought it went pretty well.

"Having another chance in the Championship is a big thing for me."

Gower also points to Martinez when asked what persuaded him to choose Swansea, revealing that 30 minutes with the Spaniard clinched the deal.

A London boy, he has spent his whole career around home turf, but dismisses any suggestion that upping sticks at this stage could cause problems.

"It wasn't a factor really," he said.

"This is a football decision and I can't wait for the season to get going."

When, Gower believes, Swansea will be better equipped to survive than Southend were during their one-season stay in the Championship a couple of years back.

"We had a good side when we went up," he stresses.

"But I think we lacked a bit of depth in the squad, whereas Swansea have 26 or 28 players who could all come into the side and play."

Gower was joined at the Liberty yesterday by Argentinian left-back Federico Bessone, who has signed on a free transfer from Espanyol.

Bessone, who used to play with Guillem Bauza in Spain, said: "This is a new challenge and a new world for me, but it's one I'm looking forward to.

"I've got a good relationship with Bussy. We've kept in touch and he painted a good picture of Swansea City."