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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Tom Coleman

The gesture that has left Birmingham City fans raving over Swansea City loanee Jefferson Montero

It's perhaps fair to say that when it comes to Jefferson Montero, many Swans fans have been left pondering on what might have been.

The winger undoubtedly has ability, but despite several false dawns, he's never really got to grips with the demands of English football.

We saw flashes of his brilliance last season before he was eventually loaned out to West Bromwich Albion, but he's yet to really produce strong performances on a consistent basis.

Of course, injuries haven't helped his cause, but football is an unforgiving place and, barring a significant change of heart, one suspects that he will be moving on for good when his contract runs out next summer.

His season-long loan move to Birmingham City is arguably a chance to show he can still do it in the Championship. Indeed, his 10-minute cameo from the bench in the win over Barnsley seemed to impress plenty of Blues fans.

However, it's Montero's actions off the pitch that have already made him a hit at St Andrew's.

Taking to social media after the 2-0 victory over the Tykes, Montero paid tribute to countryman and former Birmingham favourite Christian 'Chucho' Benitez, who played for the club in the 2009/10 season.

Benitez was hugely popular with many fans on the blue side of the Second City, and remains a massive cult hero.

His death in 2013 at the age of just 27 was met with huge sadness by the club, and Montero declared his intention to build on his legacy.

He tweeted: "I’m very happy for my debut with my team where several Ecuadorians played like my brother Chucho. Hope I could give a lot of joy."

It was a message that delighted Birmingham fans, with one replying: "Chucho forever with us, in our hearts."

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