DENNIS LAWRENCE today revealed how the lure of signing for Swansea City was too good an opportunity to turn down.

The 32-year-old yesterday completed the move to Kenny Jackett’s League One outfit in a deal that is expected to net Wrexham around £75,000.

And though the popular Trinidadian centre-back, who spent five-and-a-half years with Wrexham after joining the Reds from Defence Force in February 2001, is excited about the challenge that lies ahead, Lawrence admitted it was a difficult decision to leave the club.

“It was a move that I just could not turn down,” said Lawrence. “This is an opportunity to go to a massive club which has a magnificent set-up and is going places. And at 32, I might never get the chance again and had to take it. I want fans to know my decision was all about football, it is a new challenge. This is a chance to excel with Swansea and try and get to the Championship - it may not come again. I hope people understand the situation.

“Manager, players, team-mates, staff and supporters - everyone - I hope can see why I have left for Swansea, and I have conducted it in the right way.”

Lawrence admitted that he was thrilled to have become a fans’ favourite with Wrexham supporters but was also glad people in the town had warmed to him and his family.

And Lawrence, whose profile rose following impressive performances in the World Cup with Trinidad and Tobago, for whom he had clinched the finals place in Germany by scoring the winning goal in a qualifying play-off against Bahrain, said it was a wrench to leave the town.

“Wrexham will always be in my heart until the day I die,” said Lawrence. “I fell in love with the club. The Wrexham supporters have been fantastic to me and my family. I loved the town and its people, and it was not an easy decision to make because of my passion for the club. But I sat down with my wife to discuss it and I have got to take the challenge on. I am looking forward to it.

“I spent five-and-a-half years at Wrexham and have always been loyal. The club was good to me and I was good to them. I absolutely loved my time at Wrexham and it is a wrench to leave. I gained a lot of friends and will definitely keep in contact with people. I just want to thank everybody at the club and in the town.”

Lawrence, who was still contracted to Wrexham until next summer, made 198 league appearances and scored 14 goals, has also enjoyed a spell as captain of the club.

It has been a rollercoaster adventure at The Racecourse for Lawrence who has suffered a relegation and seen the club enter administration. But the former soldier has witnessed recent offthe field troubles resolved, and been a part of a promotion winning team in the 2002-03 season and also in the team that lifted the LDV Vans Trophy in 2004-05.

And Lawrence, who featured in Wrexham’s three-game unbeaten start to the current season before attracting the interest of Swansea, will always remember the Reds’ for giving him his chance in the Football League and he heads for south Wales with some great memories.

“I will never forget that Wrexham gave me the opportunity to come over and play football in the United Kingdom,” added Lawrence. “I will always be grateful for that. And I feel in my heart I have given the club something back and everyone understands.

“I wish Wrexham all the best this season and do hope the club pushes for promotion and achieves everything I would have wanted to if I was there. Wrexham will be the first result I will look for on a Saturday - starting this weekend when they play Chester! I will never forget my time at Wrexham and I probably achieved everything I could. We won promotion, the LDV Vans Trophy, the FA Premier Cup, and I was voted player of the season. I have some magnificent memories.”

Lawrence is expected to make his Swansea debut in Saturday's home league match with Doncaster.

"It's a great acquisition for us. Dennis proved in the World Cup just what a quality defender he is," said Swansea manager Kenny Jackett.

"I'm sure he'll make his huge presence felt in the heart of the defence."