Leon first joined the Swans on loan from West Ham in December 2002 before making the move permanent the following summer.

Although he missed half of his first season through injury, having suffered a triple cheekbone fracture, he went on to win both the PFA Divisional Player of the Year and the club's Young Player of the Year awards.

The diminutive midfielder was a regular on the right last season and turned in a number of star performances to earn him a clean sweep of awards as Player of the Year, Players' Player and Away Fans Player of the Year.

The former England youth midfielder joined the Hammers from Arsenal for £400,000 in 1998 at the age of 16.

He signed a new three-year contract in August 2007 and played an important role in the League One title winning season.

An even more impressive season was the follow in the Championship as 'Brits' picked up a number of man of the match awards following a string of excellent performances. At the club's end of season Awards the fans favourite walked away with the 'Players' Player of the Year' and 'Away Player of the Year' awards.

He made his 300^th appearance for the Swans against Middlesbrough last season, but found himself in and out of the side under former manager Paulo Sousa as discussions broke down over a new contract.

It prompted Leon to quit the Swans in the summer for a free transfer to Sheffield United.

"It was the toughest decision of my career,'' he said at the time. "I wish the club well because the fans deserve all the success in the world.''

But after less than seven months at Bramall Lane, he jumped at the chance to return to the Liberty in January 2011.

The Premier League campaign will mark his 10th season at the club. He is one of only three current players - Alan Tate and Garry Monk the other two - who will have played in all four divisions with the club after playing in the famous victory over Hull City at the Vetch Field that secured the Swans their Football League status at the end of the 2002-03 season.