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Wales Online
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Ian Mitchelmore

'An outstanding young player' - Man City starlet's arrival heralded as Swansea City's Russell Martin explains Brandon Cooper exit

Russell Martin believes Swansea City's defensive alterations will benefit all parties as Brandon Cooper will be replaced by Finley Burns in the short term.

Just two days before the transfer deadline, Welshman Cooper joined Swindon Town on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

It comes as the Swans are set to clinch the signing of 18-year-old centre-back Burns on loan from Manchester City.

"Fin is an outstanding young player. It enables one of our players to go out and play. Hopefully we will help develop Man City's player," said Martin.

"I think it's a really good fit for all parties. We're really excited to work with him, and we're really excited for Brandon who has been desperate to go out and play."

READ MORE: Russell Martin calls for Jamie Paterson's Swansea City saga to end as QPR bids 'so far away from reality'

Cooper became the ninth player to leave the Swans this month, with Dan Williams, Lewis Webb, Liam Cullen, Steven Benda and Morgan Whittaker also departing on a temporary basis.

Martin has regularly cited the need for Swansea's young guns to play regularly at senior level as the reason behind the mass exits.

And speaking after his side's 2-0 Championship loss to Hull City, the 36-year-old says Cooper - who has made eight appearances in all competitions for the Swans this term - was eager to secure a loan switch away from his boyhood club.

"We are desperate to promote and bring our own players through. I think we've shown already we're willing to play youngsters and play them through mistakes and help them develop with us," explained the head coach.

"Flynn [Downes], Ben Cabango, Joel Piroe, Olivier Ntcham is not an old player. Joel Latibeaudiere, Ethan Laird before him. It was the same at our previous club. We love working with young, hungry players.

"We are willing to go through a bit of pain whilst they are learning, it's not a problem.

"But then there's guys who, you have to make a decision, if you're really going to promote academy players and put them in, guys who are still here at 21, 22 or 23 who are not playing, they need to be playing at that age.

"Take Flynn Downes for example, he played 100-odd games at first-team level before coming.

"Liam Cullen hasn't had that. Brandon hasn't had that. He's been on loan, done brilliantly and had to come back and then got injured. Morgan Whittaker the same.

"What's happened with Ollie Cooper has been a great example. He's developed a lot, he'll come back in a brilliant place both physically and mentally, knowing what it takes to play every week, and hopefully the other guys will as well.

"Again, the squad depth is an issue. The decision made to send him out on loan is to benefit everyone in the long term. We're not in it for the short term."

Yan Dhanda is poised to see out the remainder of his Swansea contract on loan, meaning he could be the 10th player to leave the club in the opening month of 2022.

Swansea remain eager to add a striker and a left wing-back to their ranks in the final stages of the winter window.

Bristol City forward Nakhi Wells has emerged as a loan target for the Swans.

The January market closes at 11pm on Monday.

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