Ross Stewart will add another attacking dimension says Matos
Head coach Vitor Matos believes new signing Ross Stewart can provide Swansea City with another attacking dimension after completing his move to SA1.
The 30-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the Swans, becoming the club’s sixth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Elijah Just, Moussa Yeo, Joseph Opoku, Tiago Parente and Stephen Welsh.
Stewart arrives with considerable experience of the Championship, having previously featured for Sunderland and Southampton in the division.
“Ross brings experience in the league, brings leadership as well, and I think that's something that we tried to find for the squad," said Matos.
“He ticks a lot of the criteria that we wanted, so we're really happy that he joined us and that we can count on him.
“There are a lot of qualities that everyone knows. I think he's a proper finisher. He feels really comfortable inside the box, heading, shooting. He's also quite committed in terms of collectiveness with the team, defending and pressing.”
“The leadership and the experience was something that we wanted,” added Matos.
“Now we have that in every sector - players who have that experience and players who also have potential.
“That's the mix we want when we're preparing to build a squad for the upcoming season, so we're really happy.”
Stewart's fine form at Sunderland earned him a move to Southampton in 2023, where he was part of the side that won promotion to the Premier League.
He remained with the Saints last season and enjoyed another productive campaign, scoring 11 goals and providing two assists, including goals during Southampton’s run to the FA Cup semi-finals.
For Matos, Stewart’s arrival is also evidence of the club’s work to find the right opportunities in the transfer market.
“I think the club worked a lot to find the best possible deals we can have in the market, and Ross here is a good example of that,” he explained.
“I think when you sign Ross, you need to understand his history, and, of course, his journey as a player. That's why you have a medical team behind you and fitness coaches who can really understand that.
“Now it's up to us to take the best out of him and understand how we can do it. So, we are really happy that we can count on him, and we will do what we've done with all the players.
“I think it's quite public that we probably have a really good record in terms of injuries, and that is because of the work of all departments and a common vision in terms of ideas and training.
“That allows us to have good availability, and we hope we have that with Ross as well.”
Stewart now joins Zan Vipotnik and Adam Idah among Swansea’s senior striking options, giving Matos greater depth and competition in the final third ahead of the new Championship season.
Rather than seeing the trio as a selection headache, Matos believes having different profiles competing for places can only benefit the team going forward.
“He offers something different and that starts with the experience. I think that's quite clear,” he admitted.
“He offers the same spontaneity in terms of the box that Zan has. He offers the same physicality that Adam can offer as well.
“I think it's a good combination with what we have at the moment.
“He's a striker who loves to be involved in the game as well, off the ball and with the ball. So I think he fits really well with us.”