Ryan Gravenberch is set to secure a new long-term contract with Liverpool (Credits: Imago Images)
Swansea City are closing in on the signing of Celtic defender Stephen Welsh, with a multi-year deal set to be finalised imminently.
The English Championship club has won the race for the 26-year-old, who attracted significant interest from multiple leagues and continents.
Welsh had other English Championship options on the table, as well as an offer from Major League Soccer, before choosing Swansea.
Strong European and Scottish Premiership interest also emerged, but the defender has made clear his desire to move to Wales.
Welsh agreed to terminate his Celtic contract early, despite still having a year remaining on his deal with the Scottish champions.
Swansea boss Vitor Matos made a significant push to land the Scotland-based defender and has been central to convincing him to make the move.
Matos, who previously served as an assistant to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, persuaded Welsh that the Swans represented the right next step in his career.
The move brings to an end Welsh’s time at his boyhood club, where he came through the youth ranks and enjoyed considerable success.
During his time at Parkhead, Welsh was part of squads that won three Premierships, two Scottish Cups and three League Cups, a remarkable haul for any player.
He also gained loan experience at Morton and Mechelen before his standout spell at Motherwell last season elevated his profile significantly.
Welsh was regarded as one of the top defenders in Scotland during that loan stint, which put him firmly on Swansea’s radar.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill recalled Welsh in January from Motherwell but agreed to let him return to Fir Park for the second half of the season.
Welsh contributed indirectly to Celtic’s title challenge as part of a Motherwell side that beat Rangers at Ibrox and drew with Hearts.
Those results proved significant in the broader Premiership picture, adding another chapter to Welsh’s already notable connection with the club he is now departing.
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