Swans set to discuss contract with Christie

Luke Williams says Swansea City are set to “have a conversation” with Cyrus Christie over a potential contract for the free-agent defender.

Christie has been training with Swansea for almost three weeks having been without a club since leaving Hull City at the end of last season.

Williams believes the 32-year-old is fit enough to make an immediate impression in the Championship should he join Swansea for a second time.

“There’s a lot that we like about Cyrus,” the Swansea head coach said.

“He’s still training with us so potentially we’ll be able to have a conversation with Cyrus and his agent and see if there’s something that can be done, because he’s looking sharp, he is in good condition and we know how good he is as a player and what a great guy he is.”

Christie played 23 Swansea games – and scored three goals – in the second half of 2021-22 after signing on loan from Fulham.

Then Swansea boss Russell Martin was interested in signing the Republic of Ireland international on a permanent deal, but Christie instead joined Hull City.

Williams believes Christie’s blend of versatility and experience would make him a useful asset.

“He can play anywhere across the back, and in a back three as well - wing-back, full-back, centre-half,” Williams added.

“[He is] a very accomplished player and he still has his power and his pace.

“Kristian Pedersen has been out quite a while and we have a young guy in Nelson Abbey who we like a lot.

“But we have two experienced central defenders [Ben Cabango and Harry Darling, above] who have been really incredible. If we were to lose one of those guys we’d lose a chunk of experience going out of the team, so potentially he’s [Christie] a good fit.”

Williams, meanwhile, has backed Adam Reach to find a new club even though the former West Bromwich Albion player’s spell training at Swansea has come to an end.

Reach, 31, linked up with Swansea at the same time as Christie, having been on the lookout for a new club since being released by the Baggies in May.

“Adam Reach is such a good player, but I felt [if we signed him] we would probably be blocking somebody who potentially we see having a longer-term future at the club,” Williams said.

“If I felt on balance Adam was going to give us a huge spike, then so be it, someone would have had to wait.

“But I felt he wasn’t quite in that place. I am pretty sure he is going to be in that place again once he gets fully up to speed, because is a very good player. But we felt like it wasn’t the right decision for us at the moment.”