Your Swansea City headlines for Wednesday, July 20.
New signing stunned by standard
Nathan Wood admits he's been blown away by the standard of players Swansea have at their disposal.
The defender joined the club on a permanent deal from Championship rivals Middlesbrough last month and has been involved in each of the Swans' pre-season matches to date. He is in contention to feature in the matchday squad for Swansea's Championship opener at Rotherham United at the end of July.
And the 20-year-old says the technical ability of his new team-mates has made the settling in process far smoother.
READ MORE: The young Swansea City stars to benefit most in pre-season as duo impress coaches
“I haven’t been anywhere where the standard of players has been so high, particularly in terms of the players I have connections with in the defence and the 'keeper, as well as the midfielders ahead of me," he told the club website.
“When you are trying to build relationships with people it is a massive help when they are so intelligent and have so much technical ability.”
Ex-Swans find new clubs
Ben Hamer and Rhys Williams have joined Watford and Blackpool respectively.
Goalkeeper Hamer ousted Steven Benda as Swansea's first choice goalkeeper last season but fell behind Andy Fisher in the pecking order before being released this summer. And it has been confirmed that the 34-year-old has signed a two-year contract with Championship rivals Watford ahead of the new campaign.
As for defender Williams, he was restricted to just seven appearances during his loan spell with the Swans before being recalled by Liverpool in January. He has agreed to spend the duration of the 2022/23 campaign on loan with Blackpool.
“It’s a big club, coming from the Premier League and with a new head coach here,” said Hamer on his move to Vicarage Road. “The lads have all been brilliant, I’ve enjoyed my first day here and I’m looking forward to what’s happening next."
And discussing his switch to Bloomfield Road, Williams commented: “I’m so happy to be here and I want to show everyone what I can do this season. I think I’m aerially dominant because of my height, and I’m a vocal defender. I like to have the ball at my feet too, so hopefully I can play the way the gaffer wants us to play."
WIN: Your chance to win the new 2022/2023 Swansea City home shirt
Forward close to exit
Morgan Whittaker has completed a loan move to Plymouth Argyle.
The forward was told earlier this summer that he could leave the Swans and has attracted interest from clubs further down the English Football League pyramid. He held talks with the Pilgrims last week having been omitted from Swansea's matchday squad to face Steven Schumacher's men in the pre-season contest at Home Park.
And he will now spend the duration of the 2022/23 campaign with the League One side. You can read the full story on Morgan Whittaker here.
READ NEXT:
Man Utd starlet Ethan Laird reveals details of talks with Swansea City icon as players blew him away
The young Swansea City stars to benefit most in pre-season as duo impress coaches
Swansea City striker set for loan exit as futures of several others still undecided
- Get the latest Swansea City news and stories into your inbox every day for FREE!
Your chance to win the new 2022/2023 Swansea City home shirt
