The ex-Swans heroes who helped convince Joel Ward to sign for Swansea City

Joel Ward says conversations with several former Swansea City stars helped convince him to start a new chapter in south Wales.

The 36-year-old has penned a short-term deal until the end of the season with the Swans, becoming the club's first signing of the Vitor Matos era.

It's also Ward's first move since leaving Crystal Palace in the summer, where he brought the curtain down on a 13-year stint at Selhurst Park by lifting the FA Cup at Wembley in May.

Incidentally, he could well make his Swans debut in the same competition this weekend, with the veteran likely to be involved in Swansea's third-round clash with West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

"I feel good," Ward, who has previously been training with Palace to keep up his fitness, said when quizzed on his condition.

"Obviously you can't ever replace games but I've been fortunate enough that the clubs I've been involved with have welcomed me to train and I've been able to tick over and be involved.

"So I haven't necessarily stopped at all. I've been continuing the whole time. So I feel good. I feel in a good place."

Other offers were on the table over the last few months, but after speaking to some former team-mates, Ward says it became clear that this was the correct next step in his career.

"There were a few conversations over the festive period and then it was a case of whether I could come down and do some testing," he said when quizzed on how the move came about.

"Before I knew it, the wheels were in motion and I was down here and signing.

"I spoke to Marc Guehi and Wayne Routledge and other players as well who had been here and been involved.

"There's some of the lads here on the coaching staff who I've played against many times like Leon Britton and obviously Joe Allen.

"It's an exciting time, I'm looking forward to it. No one I've spoken to can speak highly enough of it. The likes of Jordan Ayew as well, I was speaking to him last night.

"Everyone just said I'd love it. That it was a great club and a great place to be. I can see that from day one. It's a really well run club and it's an opportunity to really kick on and hopefully have a strong second half of the season."

Conversations with Matos left a similarly good impression on the right-back, who is looking forward to working under the Portuguese coach under the next few months.

"I think the messaging is very clear from the gaffer," he said. "The structuring of the team and how he wants us to play.

"He's very clear in his vision for the club and where he wants to take it.

"I'm looking forward to working with him and learning a different way. Every manager you play under over your career there's an opportunity to learn, to dive in and really lean in to what they have learned in their journey as well.

"I want to develop as a player and I think this is an opportunity to learn and be part of something special with this group.

"For me, when this did arise, there was no doubt in my mind. I wanted to be a part of this."

Ward shows little sign of wanting to hang up his boots any time soon, and hasn't ruled out the possibility of staying on beyond his current short-term deal should things well for him in south Wales.

"I feel good," he added. "My body feels good. I've been fortunate throughout my career not sustain any kind of long or overly serious injuries.

"So while I'm able, I want to be involved.

"But I think for me now, the most important thing is being involved in a squad and helping them to achieve and bring out the best in everyone involved.

"Then, what will happen will happen. Beyond the end of the season, only the big man knows what's going to happen upstairs."