Viktor Gyokeres: Swansea City sign Brighton striker on season-long loan

Viktor Gyokeres (left) scored his first senior goal for Brighton in their EFL Cup win over Portsmouth last month

Swansea City have signed Brighton striker Viktor Gyokeres on a season-long loan.

Sweden international Gyokeres, 22, has played eight senior games for Brighton, scoring once.

He scored seven goals in 26 appearances while on loan at German second-tier club St Pauli last season.

"I hope I can help the team as much as I can with what they need up front, with goals and assists and helping the team get points," Gyokeres said.

"I have been looking at how Swansea have been doing, both this season and the end of last season. It's been a great start and we hope we can keep that going."

Gyokeres was Swansea head coach Steve Cooper's top target after it became clear Liverpool's Rhian Brewster would not be returning to Wales.

Cooper had made no secret of his desire to sign a centre-forward and 6ft 2in Gyokeres fits the bill.

He has appeared in Brighton's three EFL Cup ties this season, but has been allowed to leave on loan by former Swansea boss Graham Potter after the Seagulls were knocked out of the competition by Manchester United on Wednesday.

Gyokeres revealed Potter - as well as his former Swansea staff members Billy Reid and Bjorn Hamberg - had recommended he moved to Wales.

"I spoke to them a little bit as they had been here," Gyokeres told Swansea's website. "They only had good things to say and that made me more comfortable to come here and play here."

England Under-21 star Brewster thrived at Swansea after joining on loan from Liverpool in January 2020, netting 11 times in 22 appearances.

Swansea believed they had a strong chance of re-signing Brewster on loan in 2020-21, but he has completed a permanent move to Sheffield United.

Cooper is also hopeful of adding a centre-back to his squad before the transfer window closes later this month.

"There are certainly some players we would like to sign and can do from our end," Cooper added.

"It just needs to be aligned with what the player in question wants to do and the club they are with, whether that be a loan or permanent.

"Are we close to doing things? Close and far away are probably the same."

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