Swansea City

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Swansea City lost 2-0 against German second-tier side VfL Bochum in the second of their three pre-season friendlies in Austria, played in Mittersill.

Vitor Matos' side trailed 1-0 at the break of a game organised into three thirds, with Alessandro Crimaldi hitting the target and Berkan Taz striking in the second period.

Matos' side ended the final period with 10 academy players on the field as he assessed options for the coming Championship season.

Swansea are also set to face Italian heavyweights Udinese on Friday, 24 July (12:00 BST) during their training camp.

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Vitor Matos confirmed Zan Vipotnik missed Swansea City's 2-2 pre-season friendly draw with Holstein Kiel due to a minor injury.

Slovenia international Vipotnik - the Championship's top scorer with 23 goals last term - was not included in the Swans' matchday squad for the contest in Austria after reporting a quad issue.

"Vipi felt a little bit of tiredness around his quad, so it was just a precaution more than anything else," head coach Matos told the club's official website.

New signings Moussa Yeo and Stephen Welsh both featured as winger Ronald and forward Adam Idah got on the scoresheet for the Swans.

A number of fringe and youth players - including Filip Lissah, Sam Parker, Dan Watts, Thomas Woodward, Arthur Parker and Cameron Congreve - also featured during the draw.

"It was good to have them (Yeo and Welsh) with us here because it allows them to adapt pretty quickly to the style," added Matos.

"I was really impressed with both, I think they played a really good game.

"It's more now that the team starts understanding them, their strengths and how we can use them.

"It was good to see some kids from the academy too."

George Rees-Julian
BBC Sport Wales

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Zan Vipotnik did not feature as Swansea drew 2-2 against Holstein Kiel in their first of three pre-season friendlies to be played in Austria.

Ronald scored early to open the scoring against the German side before Adam Idah restored the Swans' lead, but Vitor Matos' charges were unable to hold on for victory.

Swansea named fresh line-ups for each half, with summer signing Stephen Welsh the only exception. The Scottish defender played 60 minutes at the Kufstein Arena.

Vipotnik, who scored 23 goals as he won the Championship Golden Boot last season, is part of the Swansea squad that travelled to Austria for this training camp.

Goncalo Franco was among those not included after undergoing ankle surgery for an injury suffered in a behind-closed-doors game against Exeter City.

Swansea are also set to face Bundesliga second-tier side VFL Bochum on Tuesday, 21 July (17:00 BST), and Italian heavyweights Udinese on Friday, 24 July (12:00 BST) during their Austria training camp.

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Swansea City will wear a temporary strip in their three pre-season games in Austria with the club yet to unveil any kits for the 2026-27 campaign.

The Swansea play a friendly in front of fans for the first time this summer when they meet German second-tier side Holstein Kiel at the Kufstein Arena on Saturday (15:30 BST).

They face another 2. Bundesliga team, VFL Bochum, next Tuesday before taking on Italian heavyweights Udinese next Friday.

In all three fixtures, Vitor Matos' players will wear what Swansea say is a "special limited-edition kit" which will then be auctioned for charity.

"It features the classic Swans colours of black and white, with black trim on the collar and sleeves," they said.

"Details on the launch of our new official home kit for the 2026-27 Championship season will be revealed soon."

With just over three weeks to go until their competitive season begins, the Swans have not launched any of their kits for 2026-27.

They are also yet to confirm their front-of-shirt sponsor for the upcoming campaign, with Death Row Records - the record label owned by Swansea co-owner Snoop Dogg - filling the gap on the kit being worn in Austria.

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Winger Joe Davies has joined Swansea City following his exit from League One side Peterborough United.

The 19-year-old has signed a one-year deal and will initially link up with the club's under-21s for the 2026-27 season.

Milton Keynes-born Davies spent three months on loan at Northern Premier League Division One outfit AFC Rushden and Diamonds last season, making 12 appearances and scoring one goal.

"I'm buzzing to be here at such a big club. I heard so many amazing things about this club when I was younger, and now, I can't wait to get started," said Davies.

"Coming from Welsh descent, I've always known about Swansea and about how they play, so to be here is amazing."

In May 2025, Davies scored the winner for Peterborough under-18s in the Professional Development League Cup final against Sheffield United.

Swansea head of academy recruitment Paul Robinson said: "I believe Joe's pace, attacking intent and ability to influence games in the final third make him an exciting addition to the squad.

"His pace adds another dimension to our forward options and provides strong potential for continued development within the club's environment."

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Swansea City's Milo Robinson is closer to following in the footsteps of his father after signing his first professional contract.

The midfielder is the son of former Wales international Carl Robinson, who earned 52 caps for his country between 1999 and 2009.

The 18-year-old has already represented Wales at youth level, most recently being capped at under-19s level, and has signed terms through to 2028.

Born in Brecon, Robinson joined Swansea in the summer of 2024 having spent most of his youth career in the United States, Canada and Australia, where his father played for and managed various clubs.

"It's a proud moment for me and my family, I'm buzzing to have signed my first professional contract," he said.

"This is something I've been working towards since I joined a few years ago, and I'm glad that hard work has paid off and I've earned two more years here.

"I want to get more experience in and around the first team environment. I know the gaffer is great at giving the younger players a chance and I'd love to be up there."

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Swansea City will face Italian heavyweights Udinese during their pre-season training camp in Austria.

Vitor Matos' team will take on the side who finished 10th in Serie A last season in a friendly at Fussballplatz Mittersill on Friday, 24 July (12:00 BST).

The Swans will also meet German second-tier sides Holstein Kiel (Saturday, 18 July) and VFL Bochum (Tuesday, 21 July) during their week-long spell in Austria.

Their solitary home pre-season friendly - aside from behind-closed-doors games - is against Spanish side CD Leganes on Saturday, 1 August.

Swansea's first competitive fixture of 2026-27 is a home Carabao Cup tie against Birmingham City on Saturday, 8 August.

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Defender Staitham Bowen has joined Swansea City after being released by Premier League side Brentford at the end of last season.

The 18-year-old centre-back has also had spells with Oldham Athletic, Liverpool and Burnley during his youth career.

Bowen has signed a two-year contract with the option of a further 12 months and will link up initially with Swansea's under-21 squad.

"Alongside his footballing ability, Staitham has demonstrated a strong work ethic, professionalism and a desire to develop, making him an exciting long-term addition to the club," said Paul Robinson, Swansea's head of academy recruitment.

"With his combination of physical attributes, technical quality and potential it provides an excellent platform for continued progression within Swansea City's performance pathway."

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Eom Jisung will miss two Swansea City fixtures in September after being called up for the Asian Games by South Korea.

Winger Eom has just been to a first World Cup with his national team, where he featured as a substitute in a win over the Czech Republic and a defeat to Mexico.

But the 24-year-old has now been named as one of three overage players in South Korea's under-23 squad for the Asian Games, which are being held in Japan.

Eom is to join up with the squad on 9 September, with the tournament running from 15 September to 3 October.

That means that while he will be available for Swansea's game at Southampton on Tuesday, 8 September, he will be absent for the home fixture against Burnley four days later and the trip to Lincoln City on Saturday, 19 September.

The remainder of the Asian Games coincides with an international break, with Swansea returning to action against Norwich City on Saturday, 10 October.

Eom has scored six goals in 88 Swansea appearances since joining the Welsh club in 2024.

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Swansea City have confirmed that their season-opening Carabao Cup fixture against Birmingham City will be played on Saturday, 8 August (15:00 BST).

The first-round tie comes a week after Swansea's final pre-season game, at home to Leganes, and seven days before the new Championship campaign begins with a trip to Stoke City.

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Kit Margetson has confirmed his Swansea City exit with the Wales Under-21 goalkeeper expected to join Manchester United.

The 19-year-old is the son of Martyn Margetson, who left his role as Swansea's head of goalkeeping at the end of last season.

With Margetson's contract up this summer, Swansea said in May that they were "in discussions" with the player over a new deal.

But he has confirmed on social media, external that his time with the Swans has "come to an end".

"I'm leaving with so much more than I ever imagined," Margetson added.

"This club has given me memories, lessons and moments that will stay with me for life.

"It's never easy to say goodbye to a place that's been such a big part of my journey."

Margetson joined Swansea at under-15 level and, though he has not featured at first-team level for the Championship club, he played regular senior football during a loan spell at Connah's Quay Nomads in 2025-26.

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Swansea City's all-Welsh encounter with Wrexham on Saturday, 5 September has been selected for live television coverage.

The game in west Wales will now kick off at 20:00 BST while the Swans' trip to Derby County on Saturday, 29 August will also be shown live, with that fixture now kicking off at 12:30 BST.

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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Vitor Matos said in the spring that he wanted Ethan Galbraith to stay at Swansea City for a decade.

It turned out the Northern Ireland international had already played his last game for the club.

For Matos, the loss of Galbraith just as Swansea are preparing to reconvene for pre-season is far from ideal.

But Swansea have received a sizeable fee in exchange for the midfielder's services – even if a slice of the profit will go to Galbraith's former club Leyton Orient because of a sell-on clause – and the focus now turns to who comes in.

With Malick Yalcouye also gone since last season, Swansea are now significantly lighter in terms of midfield options, although that was the department where their squad had most depth last season.

Goncalo Franco, Marko Stamenic, Jay Fulton, Leo Walta and Melker Widell remain, but it would not be a shock if Matos pushed for at least one midfield recruit over the next couple of months.

If that happens, Swansea may well go for a player with physical presence, with Matos conscious of the significant part power plays in so many Championship games.

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Having said that, it could be that Swansea use some of the Galbraith fee to strengthen other areas of their squad.

Right-back is an issue which needs to be addressed.

Galbraith played numerous games there last season as Josh Key struggled for consistency.

There is a chance Key could follow the Irishman out of the door amid genuine interest from elsewhere in the Championship.

The 26-year-old has only a year left on his contract and Swansea may well cash in if a serious offer comes in.

With no news on whether veteran Joel Ward will return – and the former Crystal Palace captain is now officially a free agent – Swansea are light on right-back options, even if Sam Parker and Filip Lissah look like two youngsters with the potential to become first-team regulars.

There are other holes in Swansea's squad, too.

Cover is required for Josh Tymon at left-back, while another wide player may yet be on Matos' wishlist despite the acquisition – for what is understood to have been a sizeable undisclosed fee – of Moussa Yeo.

Up front Swansea look reasonably well stocked – although the picture will change dramatically should Zan Vipotnik follow Galbraith in departing for big money.

For the moment, Swansea must continue to wait and see what offers – if any – they receive.

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Swansea City will take on Spanish second-tier side Leganes in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, 1 August (15:00 BST).

The Swansea.com Stadium fixture will be a final warm-up for Vitor Matos' side before competitive football begins with a home Carabao Cup first-round tie against Birmingham City the following weekend.

Leganes finished 16th in the Spain's Segunda B last season having been relegated from the top flight in 2025.

It will be Swansea's only home pre-season fixture open to fans, with Matos' squad also due to play behind-closed-doors matches as they prepare for the 2026-27 Championship campaign.

Swansea will also play three games during a training camp in Austria.

They will take on German second-tier sides Holstein Kiel on Saturday, 18 July (15:30 BST) and VFL Bochum – who are managed by former Manchester City striker Uwe Rosler – on Tuesday, 21 July (17:00 BST).

A third fixture will take place on Friday, 24 July. Swansea's opponents are yet to be announced, but they will be facing a European top-flight club.