Swans coach Roberts links up with Cookie

Goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts has left Swansea City to work alongside former Wales boss Chris Coleman in China.

Roberts, aged 48, was an integral part of Coleman’s backroom staff during Wales’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, and he has remained in the national setup under Ryan Giggs.

Roberts first joined Swansea in the summer of 2015, moving on from Arsenal after over six years at the Emirates Stadium.

The switch saw him reunited with Lukasz Fabianski and he has helped the Poland international establish himself among the best keepers in the Premier League, winning many plaudits for his work. New Swans manager Graham Potter has yet to finalise his backroom team, although he has brought assistant Billy Reid and recruitment analyst Kyle Macaulay with him from Ostersunds.

But he will need to find a new goalkeeping coach as Roberts heads to the Far East to join Hebei China Fortune.

Coleman, also 48, was named as manager of the Chinese club on Sunday, replacing Manuel Pellegrini following the Chilean’s decision to join West Ham.

The Chinese domestic season is currently on a mid-season break, with action set to resume in mid-July.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Swansea – I’ve met some great people and made a lot of friends,” said Roberts.

“Moving to Swansea was the first time I’ve had to be based outside of London for a prolonged period, but it was a decision that helped me massively.

“I’ve worked with some fantastic goalkeepers and the club let me develop them in my own way.

“It has been a rollercoaster ride in the last three years, but I’m very grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to work here and also to the fans who always had a lot of positive things to say about my work.

“The move itself has come around very quickly. This time last week I was preparing for the Championship and discussing how we could improve the academy with the chairman.

“But when Chris phoned me to offer me the job, I felt it was one which I couldn’t turn down because it is a chance to experience new things and also because I think it is a challenge which will really test me.

“I was out in China with Wales recently, and I know how serious they are in improving the game out there.

“So it is a big opportunity to experience new things on a professional and personal level.”