On 4 August 2011, Swansea City announced the signing of Routledge on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He made his competitive debut on 15 August, a 4–0 defeat against Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium. Routledge scored his first goal for Swansea on 2 January 2012, concluding a 2–0 victory against his former club Aston Villa at Villa Park. He played as Swansea won the 2013 Football League Cup Final 5–0 against Bradford City, assisting one goal by Nathan Dyer.