Stephen Welsh ready for challenge of the Championship with Swansea City

Stephen Welsh is relishing the challenge of testing himself in the Championship as he settles into life at Swansea City.

The 26-year-old centre-half agreed to join the Swans earlier this summer after leaving Celtic, and is in the middle of his first week of training with his new teammates.

The defender, who along with fellow new arrival Moussa Yeo introduced himself to the rest of the squad on Saturday, feels he has already settled into his new surroundings well ahead of the training camp in Austria later this month.

Welsh’s move came on the back of an outstanding season on loan at Motherwell, who were widely considered to play the best football in the Scottish top-flight last term.

On the back of a campaign he rated as the best of his career to date, he is eager to meet the test of the Championship and its relentless nature.

“I am buzzing to be here, it has been a good start and I have been looking forward to getting going.

“The lads have been great and I feel I have integrated well. It’s a good group, and there’s still a few more lads to come back from the World Cup. We have the training camp in Austria soon, which is great for new signings in terms of being in the environment with everyone there. 

“This is a massive club, so as soon as I heard of the interest it was a no-brainer for me to come here and play my football at a top club in a top league.

“The Championship is known as a league of a very high standard across Europe. I am delighted to test myself at this level, the games come thick and fast and I am ready for the challenge.

“I took so much from that loan spell last year, and that was probably all down to the coach and how we set up. It was a proper team and it was probably the best season I have had in my career. I was playing consistently every game and playing to a high standard. That has led to me being here, and hopefully I can continue that over the next season and beyond.”

Welsh also revealed how the positive discussions he had with head coach Vitor Matos, and the clarity of the Swans boss’ vision, were key in his decision to make the move to SA1.

“Right from the first phone call our conversations were very positive,” he said.

“We had a good chat about what he wanted from me, what he expects from the team and the goals for the season. He was a massive factor in me coming down here and getting the deal done so early.

“I hope I can help the team. My biggest strengths are probably being on the ball, as I have come through at Celtic from when I was younger where we play out from the back and a lot of possession-based football.

“I can defend well, I can read the game and then have composure as well, I want to utilise and show those skills for Swansea.”