Snoop Dogg aiming to make Swansea a 'global name'

Rapper Snoop Dogg says he wants to play his part in making Swansea City become a "global name".

The 54-year-old became a co-owner and investor at Swansea after taking a minority stake in the Championship club last July.

The American star says he "always wanted to invest in a soccer team" – and that he wants to help Swansea generate income to aid their bid to return to the Premier League.

"I want to be real hands on, I want to take the club in a direction maybe it hasn't been before," he told Wales Online., external

"We want to take Swansea to the Premier League, and to do that we are going to need money - that's the reality of the game these days.

"I want to introduce sponsorship deals and publicity that will make them a global name."

The West Coast rapper has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide but is yet to attend a Swansea game, though his son Cordell Broadus was in the directors' box for the Welsh side's draw with Watford last August.

American billionaire businesswoman Martha Stewart, who joined Snoop Dogg and Real Madrid legend Luka Modric as a Swansea co-owner in December, was in Wales for the game against Wrexham just before Christmas.

Swansea have said Snoop Dogg is likely to attend a game at some point this season, though there is still no confirmation of when he may appear at the Swansea.com Stadium.

"For real I want to meet with the fans," Snoop Dogg said.

"These fans are passionate, they are real, and I want to hear what they got to say when I am in Swansea.

"I knew I always wanted to invest in a soccer team - it's been a dream of mine for years, it was all about waiting for the right opportunity."

Modric was the first celebrity name to get involved at Swansea, with the former Ballon d'Or winner named as a co-owner last April.

Swansea's American owners, led by Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen, believe bringing in high-profile names at boardroom level will help increase the profile the club which will in turn boost income.