The club secured the future of one of its rising stars by signing the young midfielder on a three-year pro contract in August 2007.

The Carmarthen-born youngster, who has been with the club since the age of nine, made his league debut in the final game of the 2006/07 season as a substitute against Blackpool. His first start came in the Carling Cup win over Walsall at the start of the 2007/08 season and the Welsh Under-21 international turned in a man of the match performance.

He was part of the youth side that lifted the FAW Welsh Youth Cup against Cardiff City at Ninian Park in April 2008.

On October 7, 2008, he was loaned out to Blue Square Premier side Wrexham and opened the scoring on his debut in the 3-1 win over York City. But, following a second appearance at Mansfield, he was forced to return to the Liberty Stadium with an ankle injury, cutting short his loan spell in north Wales.

He returned to the first-team fold at Swansea in December and played an integral role as Roberto's side pushed for a place in the play-offs right until the end of the season, and achieved the honour of becoming the club's 'Young Player of the Year'.

His form didn't go un-noticed by Wales boss John Toshack who called the youngster into the senior squad for the end of season internationals against Estonia and Azerbaijan.

He went on to make his senior Wales debut in the 1-0 friendly win against Estonia at Llanelli's Parc y Scarlets, replacing Jack Collison of West Ham with 10 minutes to go to cap off a fine end to a memorable season. Allen was also rewarded by his club in June 2009 after signing a new contract which will keep him at the Liberty until 2012.

Made 21 league appearances under Paulo Sousa in 2009-10 as the Swans just missed out on promotion.

But it was under current boss Brendan Rodgers when Allen's true potential was unlocked. He made 43 appearances in the Championship - scoring twice - while he also started the play-off final win over Reading at Wembley.

Brendan had earlier suggested Allen had the talent to be one of the best midfielders in the second tier, and his performances certainly saw his stock rise.

In August, Allen committed his future to the club by signing a new four-year contract.