Amat backs "fantastic" Borja to shine
12th August
Jordi Amat is backing Borja Baston to be a big hit at Swansea City after the Spanish striker completed a move from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Borja, who signed a four-year deal with the Swans for a club-record £15.5million fee, played alongside Amat for Spain's Under-17 side, in which the duo helped their country to a third-place finish at the 2009 U17 World Cup.
The 23-year-old clinched the golden boot award for the five goals he scored at that tournament, which was a sign of things to come for Swansea's new number ten.
After making his mark with 23 goals in 38 outings on loan at Real Zaragoza in 2014-15, Baston enjoyed another prolific campaign last season, helping Eibar to a 14th-place finish in La Liga after scoring 18 goals for the Basque Country club.
And Amat, who knows plenty about his compatriot, is looking forward to a reunion with his former team-mate.
"He's a fantastic player - a strong striker," said Amat. "He scored a lot of goals for a small team (Eibar) in La Liga last season, which was incredible. I think he will do very well with us.
"He's good at holding the ball up, he makes good runs and has a lot of quality on the ball. He also works really hard, fights for the ball and chases everything. He does all of the 'dirty' work well.
"We needed another striker, so he will help us a lot. For him, it's a big opportunity as well."
Amat also believes Swansea's growing Spanish contingent will help to ensure Borja settles in seamlessly in SA1.
The Madrid-born striker joins Angel Rangel, Amat and fellow new boy Fernando Llorente at the Liberty.
"We have plenty of Spanish guys here, which will help him a lot," added Amat. "I am looking forward to speaking with him.
"He is a different player to Fernando. He can play up front in a two or on his own, but that is something for the manager to decide."
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