If you can’t beat them, join them

New signing Jerry Yates laid out the main reasons why he joined Swansea City from Blackpool yesterday which included guidance from a former Swansea captain and a desire to play for a team that he clearly admired from afar.

The Swans confirmed the capture of Yates yesterday evening as their third signing of the window to date with increasing rumours growing that we are on the verge of also adding at least one loan signing to the squad with the new season just a little over three weeks away.

The deal, which remains subject to international clearance, sees the 26-year-old striker has signed a three-year deal through to the summer of 2026, with the option for an additional 12 months, and will wear the number nine shirt for the Swans.

If the desire of Andy Coleman and Paul Watson is to keep their transfer dealings close to their chest then they have certainly achieved that with two of the three signings this summer with very little media speculation ahead of the deal being just about a foregone conclusion.

It is a refreshing change still from previous windows where we have stumbled around deals often failing to conclude them when they look set to happen and a refreshing change that we hope continues for quite some time yet.

Yates arrival sees Kyle Joseph head in the opposite direction after failing to secure a long term future at the Swans in the two years since he joined from Wigan.

Whilst Joseph went with the Swans’ best wishes it was their new striker who was attracting the attention at the training ground and he revealed the part of former Swans and Wales captain Ashley Williams in his arrival in Swansea.

“I spoke to a lot of people before coming here,” said Yates.  “I wanted to make sure I had the right advice.

“I spoke to someone who has close ties to the club, who played for Swansea and lived in Swansea in Ashley Williams.

“Obviously he gave me some great advice and, also, I have not enjoyed having to face Swansea over these last two seasons, so if you can’t beat them, join them!”

Yates has already played his part in three promotion campaigns – one each at Rotherham, Swindon and Blackpool and Swans fans will hope that this becomes a fourth in the season ahead which, given his track record to date, is entirely possible.

“It’s about that togetherness within the group, you always have to believe in yourselves,” added Yates.  “There is an awful lot of talent here, that goes without saying, but I think you need a little bit more than talent.

“You have got to be able to dig deep when that is needed of you, and hopefully we will have that this year.

“You have to expect that there is pressure that comes with the job, like I say the talent I have seen at Swansea over these last two seasons has been frightening and I am looking to trying to help the team to achieve our goals.”

Yates arrival probably does help clear the path for Joel Piroe to leave the Swansea.com stadium and with Atalanta and Nottingham Forest in the wings there is every chance that a deal could be completed before the season starts.   Dependent on the situation with Morgan Whittaker there could also be another striking option appearing in SA1 as well with the Swans business for the window some distance it seems from being completed.

For now though it is a welcome to Swansea City to Jerry Yates and the good wishes that your stay may be a long and productive one.