Stephen O'Donnell believes Dundalk have boxed clever by signing highly-regarded Swansea City prospect Dan WIlliams.
The midfielder, 20, today completed his move to the Lilywhites on a season-long loan, just a week after penning a new deal with the Swans until the summer of 2023.
And the Championship club has the option of extending that into 2024, particularly if he catches the eye during his spell in the League of Ireland.
Williams is the third Wales U21 international to pitch up at Oriel Park ahead of the new season, following the arrival of Nathan Shepperd and Joe Adams.
And O’Donnell said: “We’re delighted to get Dan on board
“He has only recently signed a new contract with Swansea which shows how much potential they see in him.
“He has already played in the League Cup for Swansea this season and was on the bench for their recent FAI Cup tie with Southampton.”
O’Donnell added: “Our fans will really take to him. He’s an excellent footballer, really comfortable in possession and has a really good range of passing.”
Williams did his homework on the League of Ireland by picking up the phone to his best friend.
Cameron Evans is a Swansea City team-mate and spent last season on loan at relegated Waterford.
New Shelbourne goalkeeper Lewis Webb - who joined the Drumcondra club on loan - is a Swans team-mate too.
And Williams - who has six Wales U21 caps - was also swayed by the fact that O’Donnell used to play in the same position as him.
Williams said: “I had a chat with the gaffer, Russell Martin, at Swansea.
“I played a couple of cup games at the start of the season and he said the next step was to get some first-team football.
“When I mentioned the possibility of the League of Ireland, he was happy with that. Now that I’m here, I just want to play as much as possible.
“Playing in the U23 league in the UK has its benefits when you’re 18 or 19 but at my age I just want to play in front of fans and improve.”
And Williams revealed that O’Donnell left him in no doubt that he was making the right decision by switching to Ireland.
He told the Dundalk website: “I spoke to Stephen and when I got off the phone I told my parents everything that he said to me.
“The next day, I asked them what they thought and they told me I should go to Dundalk because of my reaction after that phone call.
“They could see that I was buzzing. I went to sleep that night really happy with the conversation and what Stephen’s plans were for the season.
“He told me he played in a similar position to me, as a six, and wants me to do the same things as he did, get on the ball and start play.
“He didn’t tell me how good he was, though, so I’ll have to watch the videos and people will have to fill me in on that!
Williams added: “It’s my first loan and it’s always a bit daunting coming to a new club but the boys have been very welcoming.”
