De Guzman's the man for SwansPosted on: Tue 10 Jul 2012
Swans boss Michael Laudrup has made Villarreal's Jonathan de Guzman his second signing of the new campaign.
The attacking midfielder, 24, completed a medical today and signed a one-year loan deal at the Liberty Stadium, with an option to make the move permanent.
"Once the opportunity came along to join Swansea and Michael Laudrup it was a done deal,'' declared the former Dutch Under-21 international and Olympian. "I didn't have to think twice about it.
"I watched Premier League football every week on the TV last season. I was aware that Swansea are a good footballing side, but they really caught my eye when they beat Manchester City.
"They had a great season and I'm really looking forward to the challenge of playing on a new podium in the Premier League.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity and grateful that the manager has acknowledged me as a player.''
Born in Ontario, Canada, he moved to the Netherlands to join Feyenoord's youth academy and played over 100 games for the Rotterdam club.
He also opted to represent the Netherlands after he gained Dutch citizenship, winning four Under-21 caps along with six appearances at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.
He joined up with Laudrup at Mallorca on a free transfer in 2010 before being sold on transfer deadline day to Villarreal for around £7m in August 2011 after 38 appearances.
After making an encouraging start at El Madrigal, de Guzman found game time at a premium after the club appointed a new manager.
It helped make his decision to move to Swansea that much easier when the call came from Laudrup.
"I didn't get much game time when the new coach came in,'' confirmed de Guzman. "It was a frustrating time for me.
"I just want to play football on a regular basis again. I'm fortunate that I will be working under a good coach (Laudrup) at Swansea who lets you be free and allows you to do what you do best.
"I like to attack as a midfielder, box to box, and hopefully I can add my share of goals along the way.''
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