World Cup Swans: Jonathan de Guzman
As the 2018 World Cup draws closer, the official website takes a look back at the players who have turned out for the Swans and played on the biggest stage of all.
Today we focus on Jonathan de Guzman.
Jonathan de Guzman impressed in a Swansea City shirt during two seasons on loan at the Liberty Stadium.
The Dutchman started his club career at Feyenoord before moving to Real Mallorca, Villarreal and Napoli, then came loan stints with the Swans, Carpi and Chievo. He currently plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga.
He has been capped 13 times at international level since making his debut against Italy in 2013, and has never been on the losing side for his country.
AT THE SWANS
His two years on loan with the Swans coincided with one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
Arriving from Villarreal in July 2012, de Guzman scored nine goals during his first season in South Wales, including a brace in the League Cup final success over Bradford City at Wembley.
A stunning free-kick in the memorable 3-0 win over Valencia in the Europa League was the highlight of his second campaign at the club, while he also netted in the second leg defeat against Napoli in the last 32.
Overall, he played 95 times for the Swans in all competitions, scoring 16 goals.
AT THE WORLD CUP
Selected as part of Louis van Gaal’s 23-man squad for the 2014 finals, de Guzman played for 62 minutes in the Netherlands’ 5-1 demolition of reigning champions Spain in the opening match of Group B.
He also started the next game against Australia, before being replaced by Georginio Wijnaldum with 12 minutes remaining of a 3-2 success.
His third and final appearance of the tournament came when he played the entire third-place play-off against host nation Brazil, with the Dutch running out comfortable 3-0 winners.
