Record signing joins list of Spanish Swans

11th August

Swansea City will have a pair of Spanish strikers spearheading their attack in the Premier League this season after Borja Baston followed Fernando Llorente to the Liberty.
The Swans went 90 years before Brian Flynn made Roberto Martinez the club's maiden Spanish player.
But since then, there has nearly always been a Spanish flavour in the dressing room.
Borja and Llorente join Jordi Amat and Angel Rangel in Francesco Guidolin's squad.
Here we look back at the 13 other Spaniards who have worn Swans colours.




ROBERTO MARTINEZ
One of the most important signings the Swans have ever made, Martinez arrived on a free transfer from Walsall in December 2002. He played a central role in ensuring Brian Flynn's team avoided relegation to the Conference, then skippered the Swans to promotion from League Two in the final year at the Vetch.
Appointed manager in 2007, Martinez revolutionised the Swans' playing style and led the club to the League One title.



 
GUILLEM BAUZA
One of Martinez's first signings, the striker who was better known as Bussy played his part in helping the Swans climb out of League One.
In all he scored 16 goals for the club over three seasons, two of which came in the win at Gillingham which clinched promotion to the second tier.
Now 31, Bauza graduated with a first-class honours degree from Swansea University's School of Medicine in 2015.




ANDREA ORLANDI
A classy midfielder or wide player, Orlandi made 88 Swans appearances over the course of five years at the Liberty after Martinez snapped up the former Alaves and Barcelona youngster.
Orlandi was a popular figure in SA1 and a useful squad player.
He eventually left for Brighton, then played for Blackpool before switching to Cypriot football, where he still plays. 




GORKA PINTADO
The striker nicknamed the Bull was signed for around 200,000 euros in 2008 as Martinez's Swans prepared for life in the Championship.
Pintado had some memorable moments in a Swans shirt, like his spectacular cameo against then Premier League Hull in the League Cup, a goal against Cardiff and a red card for a challenge on Derby's Robbie Savage.
He left Wales after Brendan Rodgers took charge, finishing his career with AEK Larnaca.



 
ALBERT SERRAN
No-nonsense defender Serran arrived from Espanyol in the summer of 2008 and went on to make 42 appearances in a Swans shirt.
Capable of playing at centre-back or on the right, he played his part in helping the club win promotion to the Premier League before departing for AEK Larnaca in 2011.
He then had a spell back in Spain with Alcorcon, but has since returned to Cyprus and is playing for Larnaca again.




JORDI GOMEZ
The attacking midfielder arrived on a season-long loan from Espanyol in 2009 and proved a big hit in SA1, walking away with the player of the year award in his one campaign at the Liberty.
Gomez scored 12 goals in Swans colours - one of which was the winner in the South Wales derby - before following Martinez to Wigan.
He moved to Sunderland in 2014, and had a spell on loan at Blackburn Rovers last season.




JORDI LOPEZ
Paulo Sousa brought midfielder Lopez to Swansea having previously worked with him at Queens Park Rangers.
A former Real Madrid and Sevilla player, Lopez came with a big reputation and featured 15 times during an 18-month stint in Wales.
Upon leaving the Liberty, Lopez moved to Holland with Vitesse Arnhem.




CHICO FLORES
One of Michael Laudrup's first moves as Swans boss was to bring in the flamboyant central defender.
Chico was a popular figure with the fans during two years at the Liberty, making 75 appearances - and scoring four goals - before leaving for the Middle East following the departure of Laudrup.
Now 29, the former Mallorca man is still at Lekhwiya - the club he joined when he left Wales.




MICHU
One of the Swans' most successful Spaniards, Michu wowed the Premier League during a stunning debut campaign in which he scored 22 goals.
Signed from Rayo Vallecano for just £2.2million, Michu made a huge contribution in his first full season as Laudrup's team finished ninth in the top flight and won the Capital One Cup.
Sadly, Michu was hampered by injuries further down the line and he ended up agreeing a settlement on his contract in November 2015.




PABLO HERNANDEZ
The Swans broke their club record to sign Valencia winger Hernandez for £5.55million in 2012.
The Spanish international showed his undoubted class at times in Swans colours, although injury issues often denied him a consistent run in Laudrup's team.
He left for Al-Arabi in 2014 after five goals in 71 Swans appearances, and has recently joined Garry Monk's Leeds United on loan.




JOSE CANAS
Laudrup snapped up Real Betis captain Canas on a free transfer after the midfielder's contract with the Spanish club expired in 2013.
Competition for a place in the Swans midfield was fierce, but Canas did manage 35 appearances - some of which came during the club's Europa League adventure - before departing for Espanyol following Laudrup's exit.
Now 29, he has recently signed for Greek side PAOK.




ALEJANDRO POZUELO
Another of Laudrup's Spanish recruits, Pozuelo was a diminutive attacking midfielder who showed flashes of the talent which had persuaded Swansea's Danish boss to bring him to Wales.
However, after Laudrup's exit, Pozuelo left for Spanish club Rayo Vallecano having scored two goals in 36 Swans appearances.
Still only 24, he joined Belgium club Genk last year.



 
ALVARO VAZQUEZ
The striker was signed on a season-long loan by Laudrup to boost the Swans' attacking options in the 2013-14 campaign.
Vazquez, who joined from Getafe, arrived with a reputation as a promising forward who had impressed in Spain's youth ranks and made 20 appearances for the Swans.
He has since returned to Spain with Getafe.

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