Swansea City poised to sign free agent ahead of Sheffield Wednesday

 

Swansea City poised to sign free agent ahead of Sheffield Wednesday

 

Swansea City are set to win the race to sign experienced centre-back Ricardo Santos, beating League One rivals Sheffield Wednesday to his signature, according to a report from journalist Pete O’Rourke on X.

 

The 29-year-old defender is available as a free agent following the expiry of his contract at Bolton Wanderers, where he had established himself as a key figure over several seasons. His impending move to the Championship side would be seen as a significant coup, especially with Wednesday also pushing to secure his services as they prepare for life in League One once again.

 

Santos, a commanding presence at 6ft 5in, has been a standout performer in League One for some time and captained Bolton to promotion from the third tier during his time at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. He made over 150 appearances for the Trotters and played a crucial role in their defensive setup under Ian Evatt.

 

However, with his contract set to expire this summer, the club were unable to tie him down to a new deal. His availability on a free has naturally drawn attention from a number of clubs looking to strengthen at the back, but it is Swansea City who now appear to be in pole position to land his signature.

 

The Swans, preparing for their second full season under manager Luke Williams, are looking to bolster their defensive ranks after an inconsistent campaign in the Championship. Williams is believed to be a long-term admirer of Santos and views him as a player who can bring leadership, experience, and physicality to a relatively young squad.

 

Signing Santos would mark Swansea’s first major move of the summer transfer window. The club are aiming to address key areas of concern ahead of the new campaign, with central defence identified as a priority. The departure of Nathan Wood earlier this year left a void in the backline, and Santos could be the ideal replacement to help solidify the Swans’ defence.

 

For Sheffield Wednesday, missing out on Santos will come as a blow. The Owls, under new management following a disappointing season, had hoped to bring in the former Barnet and Peterborough United man to add stability to their backline. Despite their strong interest, it now appears the player has opted to stay in the Championship rather than drop into League One.

 

With the deal nearing completion, Swansea fans will be hopeful Santos can replicate the form that made him such a fan favourite at Bolton. His blend of experience, composure on the ball, and aerial dominance makes him a potentially astute addition as the Welsh club look to mount a stronger push for a top-half finish—or better—in the upcoming season.

 

An official announcement could be made in the coming days once final details are ironed out.

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