Transfer duds that missed the mark
LIKE all football clubs, Swansea City have had their fair share of transfer hits and misses over the years.
For every success, there have been flops. Astute signings and expensive blunders have both been made. But here we list 10 of the captures that quite simply turned out horrendously, while detailing where they are now.
KIERON FREEMAN
First up, right-back Kieron Freeman joined Swansea in February last year for an undisclosed fee, with Swansea winger Jordon Garrick joining Freeman’s former club Swindon as part of the deal.
His only appearance for the Swans was in a 3-1 loss at home to Manchester City in the FA Cup. Freeman left South Wales in July, and joined League One side Portsmouth, where he plays now.
PAUL ARRIOLA
Another member of Swansea’s February 2021 intake, Arriola joined the Swans on loan from DC United last year. He managed one more appearance than Freeman, but made his debut in the same loss to Manchester City.
It was to be even more shortlived for Arriola, however, as just one month after arriving he picked up a quadricep injury which ended his time with Swansea.
His time at the club was hit by controversy, with historic tweets resurfacing which prompted an apology from the American. He’s now with Dallas FC.
DAVID NGOG
Arguably best known for his days with Liverpool and Bolton, David Ngog joined Swansea in January 2014 for the remainder of the season. During the campaign he made just three appearances for Swansea, all from the bench.
In truth, his time with the Swans may have marked the start of the decline of his career, as he joined Ligue 1 side Reims in September that year after completing his season at Swansea.
The remainder of his career included spells at Panionios in Greece, Ross County in Scotland, Budapest Honved in Hungary and finally Zalgiris in Lithuania. Ngog retired from football in 2020.
BORJA BASTON
Spaniard Borja Baston spent four years at Swansea, making him the longest-serving player on this list. In August 2016 Baston signed for a club-record fee of £15.5 million on a four-year contract.
Seven goals in 38 games doesn’t sound like the worst return for a striker. When you factor into that that Borja spent four years with Swansea, however, you would have hoped for more from a £15.5 million player. Borja was loaned out twice, to Malaga in 2017 and Alaves in 2018.
He returned to South Wales for the 2019 season, scoring his first Swansea goal since 2016 in a 2-1 win against Hull. That season he was even nominated for the PFA player of the month in August as Steve Cooper’s men claimed 16 of the 18 points on offer.
However, this success was shortlived as Borja left Swansea six months before the end of his contract to allow the Swans to reduce their wage bill. He joined Aston Villa in January 2020. Now Borja plays for Real Oviedo in La Liga 2.
SAM CLUCAS
As with Borja, it was more the price tag that didn’t make sense with Clucas, especially when other areas of Paul Clement’s squad needed addressing.
Clucas was another four-year contract signing made by Swans. He scored three goals for Swansea, all against Arsenal, including a brace at the Liberty Stadium in late January 2018.
He was part of the relegated Swansea side of 2017-18 when they lost to Stoke 2-1 on the final day of the season.
Clucas joined the Potters a few weeks later after spending just 16 months with the Swans and has been a bit of a pantomime villain ever since, celebrating passionately when he scored against his old employers.
He has found a permanent home at the bet365 Stadium, and has made more than 100 appearances for the club to date.
VANGELIS MORAS
Greek centre-back Vangelis Moras signed for Swansea in October 2011. After impressing on trial, he was signed on a three-month deal.
However, Moras would make just one appearance for the club, as a late substitute in a 2-2 draw against Wolves. He was released at the end of his contract and now manages Greek side PO Elassona.
ABU BAKR
Signed on a free, didn’t play a game. Not the best deal all round this one. Trinidadian national centre-back Bakr was signed to provide cover in defence after impressing on trial under Paulo Sousa.
He didn’t make a single appearance and was released at the end of a three-month deal. Was last seen playing for Churchill Brothers FC Goa in India.
RORY DONNELLY
Swansea signed a teenage Donnelly on a three-and-a-half-year deal in December 2011 for an undisclosed fee. Donnelly made just two appearances for Swansea, once in the Europa League and once in the League Cup.
He was sent out on loan to Coventry
City and Tranmere, but his spell in Coventry was ended early due to ‘non-footballing reasons’.
In 2015, Donnelly joined Gillingham on a free transfer after being released by Swansea. Now plies his trade in his native Northern Ireland with Glentoran.
SYLVAIN MESLIEN
French defender Sylvain Meslien did enough to convince then-manager Kenny Jackett that he deserved a month-long contract with Swansea.
However, he was never given the opportunities to prove himself as he made just one appearance against Darlington in the FA Cup, and was a late substitute in a 5-0 win over Carlisle. Jackett deemed he hadn’t done enough to extend his contract and he was released in 2007. He went on to play Pau Fc, SR Colmar and Saint-louis Neuweg.
DWIGHT TIENDALLI
Initially signed in 2012 as defensive cover for the injured Neil Taylor, Dutchman Tiendalli was handed a one-year contract.
The decision was taken after the year not to renew his deal and Tiendalli left the club. However, he was re-signed just two months later on an eyebrow-raising three-yeardeal.
He was released from his contract a year early after he returned from a Middlesbrough loan spell. A stint at Oxford United followed before he hung up his boots in 2018.