Swansea City

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Former Swansea City and Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero is back in British football – with North West Counties League side FC St Helens.

Montero spent six years on Swansea's books, producing some memorable displays during the club's stay in the Premier League after joining from Mexican club Morelia in 2014.

The former La Liga player returned to his native Ecuador but is now back on these shores at the age of 35.

The North West Counties League is the ninth level of the English pyramid.

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Swansea City's Supporters Trust have outlined the reasons why the club are ready to take a chance on a new revamped Welsh League Cup - and they include the potential financial benefits of qualifying for Europe.

But they have called on fans to speak up on any concerns to take to club chairman Andy Coleman before any decision on Prosiect Cymru (Project Cymru) is made.

The trust – which has a 7.59% stake in the club and presence on its board – says it has been kept updated of the progress on proposals, which could see Wales' four EFL clubs enter the Welsh domestic competition with the prize of European qualification at stake.

Swansea have been key drivers in the plans, which are waiting for the green light from the Football Association board amid some opposition from the EFL.

In a letter to members, external, the Trust said it could see the reasons why the club would back the project.

The letter cited increased revenue to put the club on "a better financial footing", being able to attract players because of European football, increasing commercial opportunities and boosting the potential for high-quality academy recruits..

However, the trust says it is aware of fan concerns over fixture congestion, squad fatigue and giving up the chance to qualify for Europe via English competitions, as well as whether it is fair to potentially take a European spot away from a Cymru Premier club.

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Swansea City striker Josh Thomas is joining Drogheda United on loan after being recalled from his spell at League Two Bromley.

Academy product Thomas, 22, signed a new Swansea deal in August before joining Bromley on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.

But Thomas' stint with the fourth-tier club has come to an end after he managed only six appearances in the first half of the season.

He will instead spend the 2025 season playing in the League of Ireland Premier division.

Thomas has made one senior appearance for Swansea, coming off the bench on the opening day of this season at Middlesbrough.

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Goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin has agreed a contract extension which will see him stay at Swansea City until the end of the season.

The 37-year-old joined Swansea last August on a short-term deal which had been due to expire this month.

McLaughlin was signed as cover for Andy Fisher, who underwent surgery after suffering a groin injury in pre-season.

Fisher has since returned to fitness, but joined St Johnstone on loan last week in the hope that he will get regular game-time with the Scottish Premiership club.

McLaughlin, a former Scotland international, made his Swansea debut in last weekend's FA Cup defeat at Southampton, but is expected to resume his role as understudy to Lawrence Vigouroux when Luke Williams' side return to Championship action at Cardiff City on Saturday.

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Midfielder Danielle Broadhurst has left Swansea City Women after just four months at the Adran Premier club.

Broadhurst joined Swansea last September after leaving Barry Town United and scored two goals in eight appearances under boss Jamie Sherwood.

She previously spent 11 years with Cardiff City Women.

"We have agreed with Danielle to mutually terminate her contract so that she can fulfil her desire of maximising her game time. We wish her the best of luck for the future," Sherwood said.

Swansea, meanwhile, have signed goalkeeper Verity Jones on a deal until the end of the season.

The 16-year-old will provide competition for first-choice keeper Charlie Haynes.

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Luke Williams says Swansea City must wait and see whether Ben Cabango and Harry Darling will be passed fit for this weekend's south Wales derby at Cardiff City.

Cabango, 24, and Darling, 25, have been two of Swansea's key performers this season.

The duo had started every league game in 2024-25 alongside each other at the heart of Williams' defence until Cabango suffered a groin injury at Portsmouth on New Year's Day.

The Wales international missed the draw with West Brom three days later as well as last weekend's FA Cup loss at Southampton, with Darling also absent at St Mary's with what is thought to be a back issue.

Williams says both players "want to be on the pitch" at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, but that there are no guarantees they will be available.

"Ben was able to get out on the grass on Wednesday so that's better," said the Swansea head coach.

"He couldn't do all of training, but he got on the grass so we are happy with that. We will see because we can do as much as possible, but there's a limit."

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On Darling, Williams added: "I am optimistic he will train at some point before the game."

In Cabango's absence, Cyrus Christie made his first start since rejoining Swansea alongside Darling against West Brom, before partnering veteran Kyle Naughton at Southampton.

Josh Ginnelly made his first appearance in 16 months as a substitute against the Saints, and Williams says Swansea must continue to "extra careful" with the winger despite his long-awaited comeback.

"I certainly think he's a way off being able to play a lot of minutes," Williams said.

Academy product Sam Parker, 18, could soon follow Ginnelly by making a long-awaited return to action after a year out with hamstring issues.

"He is training very well and in a good place," Williams added.

"We have to be careful because we suffered a setback with him, but he's doing very well."

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Luke Williams has tweaked his goalkeeping options once more after allowing Nathan Broome to join Port Vale on loan for the rest of the season.

The 23-year-old joins up with a Vale side chasing promotion from League Two, with Swansea hoping he will get some game-time in the Potteries.

Broome, who is under contract until at least 2026, is the second goalkeeper in Swansea's senior squad to leave the club this month following Andy Fisher's loan move to st Johnstone.

Jon McLaughlin, who made his debut in the FA Cup defeat at Southampton last weekend, sees his short-term deal expire this month but Swansea are likely to extend his contract until the end of the season.

The veteran Scot will continue to serve as understudy to Lawrence Vigouroux, with 19-year-old Kit Margetson - the son of Swansea goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson - likely to be the next in line.

Two Swansea Under-21 goalkeepers have also departed on loan this month.

Evan Watts, 20, has joined Galway United for the 2025 League of Ireland Premier Division season, while 21-year-old Ben Hughes will spend the rest of this campaign at Caernarfon Town.

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If there was one positive to come out of Swansea City's comprehensive FA Cup defeat at Southampton, it was the return of winger Josh Ginnelly after 16 months out.

The 27-year-old's 11-minute cameo off the bench at St Mary's is a "huge" boost for player and club, according to head coach Luke Williams, as the Swans search for fresh impetus during the January transfer window.

Ginnelly will feel almost like a new signing, having been out of action since September 2023, when he ruptured an Achilles tendon during a win over Sheffield Wednesday.

It has been a long road back for Ginnelly, who joined the Swans from Scottish club Hearts in July 2023 but made only eight appearances before injury struck.

He suffered a number of setbacks in his bid to return to action before Williams sent him on at Southampton.

"I cannot explain how it felt to be back on the pitch," Ginnelly told Swansea's website.

"There are times you feel you have lost everything. There are more lows than highs in football, and when you are injured that's multiplied by 10.

"You look back at the times when I couldn't even shower, or go for a walk outside. It makes you grateful for the little things."

Williams will hope Ginnelly's return helps freshen up Swansea's attack, and that the former Burnley player can recapture the promise he showed when he first signed for the club, scoring two goals in those eight games.

"It's huge [to see Ginnelly play again]," said Williams.

"At that point [on Sunday] the game was probably out of reach, so it was a really good opportunity to bring Josh on.

"He's had such a long journey back to fitness and that was a huge milestone for him. He's done great."

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Andy Robinson says Swansea City produced a "gutless" performance in their FA Cup defeat at Southampton - and claimed the front four attacking players were "useless".

Head coach Luke Williams refused to be too critical of his players for the 3-0 defeat at St Mary's, saying they were "outclassed" by Saints, and rejected suggestions he did not take the competition seriously.

But ex-Swan Robinson claims Williams' men wasted the chance to shine before Saturday's south Wales derby at Cardiff City Stadium.

"I don't like to use the word gutless, but it was a bit of a gutless, never-laid-a-glove-on-them type of performance, and that doesn't sit well with me," Robinson told Radio Wales Sport.

"The FA Cup is a special competition, and even Luke Williams said before the game [it is] romance for fans who come in their numbers - 300 or 400 Swans fans [travelled to Southampton]."

Robinson - who saw winger Josh Ginnelly's 10 minutes in a first appearance for 16 months after injury as the "only saving grace" - singled out Swansea's attacking players (Florian Bianchini, Ronald, Myles-Peart Harris and Eom Ji-Sung) for particular criticism.

"The front four were useless - they haven't put themselves in the window to play against Cardiff," he added.

"It's food for thought for Luke Williams and players who have certainly done no justice in staking a claim for the derby game."