Declan John: Swansea City sign Rangers defender on three-year deal
- Published
Declan John has won five caps for Wales since making his senior debut in 2013
Swansea City have completed the signing of Wales and Rangers defender Declan John on a three-year deal.
The 23-year-old impressed at Ibrox by playing 31 times for Rangers after signing from Cardiff City.
John has signed for the Swans for an undisclosed fee.
Swansea sold Sam Clucas, Federico Fernandez and Jordi Amat on deadline day, while Jordan Ayew has left on a season long loan to Crystal Palace.
John is eligible to feature in Graham Potter's squad for Saturday's first home fixture of the campaign against Preston on Saturday, 11 August.
"It has been a busy two or three days, but I am happy to be here," said John.
"It is nice to come home to Wales and be back close to the family. I am a Merthyr boy born and bred.
"I am excited and really happy to play under Graham Potter. I will look to try to get into the starting 11 and try and get some minutes in."
Swedish international Martin Olsson is the only other recognised left-back in the first-team squad.
John had joined Rangers on loan from Cardiff City in August 2017 before making the move permanent midway through the campaign.
Amat has joined La Liga side Rayo Vallecano after the clubs agreed a fee in the region of £1m for the centre-back.
The 26-year-old leaves the Liberty Stadium after arriving from Espanyol five years ago, making 73 appearances for the Swans. He has signed a four-year deal with last season's Segunda Liga champions.
The Spaniard spent last season on loan at Real Betis, but returned to Swansea following their relegation from the Premier League.
Amat became the fourth central defender to leave the club during the summer window. Kyle Bartley joined West Brom, Alfie Mawson was signed by Fulham before Fernandez moved to Newcastle.
'Answers from American owners needed' - analysis
BBC Sport Wales football reporter Chris Wathan
There was always going to be an element of Swansea having to cut their cloth according to their new Championship surroundings. No-one could have imagined it would be to this extent.
A dozen players from last year's squad gone, a significant slashing of the wage bill and conservative estimate of £40m recouped in fees; less than a quarter re-invested on five young talents.
But the speed and scale of things being ripped up is naïve to the point of dangerous. The deadline day sale of last season's captain Federico Fernandez to Newcastle has left Swansea with one senior centre-back and one fit striker.
The failure to land Ryan Woods was a particular blow to Potter, with the Brentford midfielder ready to move only for Swansea's board refusal to give the green light.
Swansea can - and must - utilise the loan market, but they are backing themselves into a corner. Fans would be justified in being as angry as they are worried. Answers from the American owners need to come quickly.
- Published18 August 2018
