Swansea City complete Curtis Obeng transfer from Wrexham

Curtis Obeng joined Wrexham from Manchester City in August 2009

Swansea City have completed the signing of former England youth international Curtis Obeng from non-league Wrexham.

The 22-year-old right-back, who impressed for the Blue Square Bet Premier high-fliers, has signed a three-and-a-half year deal at Swansea.

Swans boss Brendan Rodgers watched Obeng play for Wrexham in their FA Cup third round replay defeat to Brighton.

"Technically he can deal with the ball, he's calm in possession and passes it well," said Swans boss Brendan Rodgers.

"He has great, great pace. And no doubt mentally he is hungry and I like hungry players that have a point to prove and want to get better."

Obeng was a graduate of the renowned Manchester City academy and signed for Wrexham on a two-year deal after being released from the Premier League club in August 2009 following unsuccessful trials at Wigan Athletic and Celtic.

The former England under-19 defender extended his Wrexham contract to January 2013 in June 2011 and it was reported that the Welsh clubs agreed a transfer fee in the region of £200,000 for the player.

He underwent a medical and agreed terms at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday and the deal was completed when the Swans were playing Chelsea, a game that ended 1-1.

Obeng, who follows Neil Taylor from Wrexham to Swansea, is eligible for their Premier League trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

The mid-season transfer window closed on 31 January and Rodgers had already signed Josh McEachran before swooping for Obeng.

But the Swansea manager missed out on signing Peterborough defender Ryan Bennett as the England under-21 defender signed for Premier League rivals Norwich City.

Obeng is the second Wrexham player to swap the non-league for the Premier League in as many days as the defender followed Danny Ward out of the Racecourse Ground after the goalkeeper joined Liverpool on Monday

Obeng's departure is a blow for Wrexham boss Andy Morrell as he hopes to win the Dragons promotion back to the Football League this season after their relegation in 2008.

But Morrell said: "This is a good move for both Curtis and the club.

"The chance to join a Premier League club is a great opportunity for him and we obviously wish him well."

Defender Daniel Alfei heads in the opposite direction on a lone move for the rest of the season.

The Welsh Under-21 captain Alfei, who signed a three-year Swansea deal in May 2011, is an immediate replacement for Obeng and the 19-year-old can also play as a centre-back.

"We've had a lot of good reports about Alfei and we were delighted to able to bring him in as part of the deal," added Morrell.

"With the enforced break we've got it's an ideal chance for him to be integrated into the team's style of play ahead of the final promotion push."