Michael Laudrup was draw for Swansea signings Jose Manuel Flores and Jonathan de Guzman

 

Andrew Gwilym
Wednesday 11 July 2012 11:41 BST
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Jose Manuel Flores (left) in action against Barcelona
Jose Manuel Flores (left) in action against Barcelona

New Swansea signings Jose Manuel Flores and Jonathan de Guzman said the draw of working with Michael Laudrup was a key factor in their moves to the Liberty Stadium.

The Dane completed his first signings since succeeding Brendan Rodgers as centre-half Flores, more commonly known as Chico, joined from Genoa for an initial fee of £2million, while De Guzman arrived from Villarreal on a season-long loan deal.

Both players previously worked with Laudrup during his time in charge of Mallorca and he will hope the pair can fill the gap in the Swans' squad left by the exits of Steven Caulker and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Caulker returned to Tottenham when his loan spell finished at the end of last season, while Sigurdsson has moved to White Hart Lane after his permanent switch to the Liberty Stadium fell through when Rodgers left for Liverpool.

Flores, 25, who has signed a three-year contract subject to international clearance, and De Guzman admitted they were eager to work with the former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder again.

Flores, who also had spells with Cadiz, Racing Portuense and Barcelona B, told the club's official website: "He was one of the main reasons I signed. He knows me as a person and a player, so I was honoured when the call came.

"I believe the manager will be good for Swansea and they have done extremely well to get him. Swansea's way of playing is the same style as he wants to play the game. He is the right person to take this club forward."

De Guzman, 24, added: "I am fortunate that I will be working under a good coach at Swansea who lets you be free and allows you to do what you do best.

"I like to attack as a midfielder, box to box, and hopefully I can add my share of goals along the way."

Swansea will have the option to sign De Guzman, who relegated Villarreal paid a fee of around £7million for less than 12 months ago, on a permanent basis at the end of the season.

And the Canadian-born Holland Under-21 international, who also featured at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, admits Swansea had caught his eye during their impressive maiden Premier League campaign last term.

"I watched Premier League football every week on the TV last season," he said.

"I was aware that Swansea are a good footballing side, but they really caught my eye when they beat Manchester City.

"They had a great season and I am really looking forward to the challenge of playing on a new (stage) in the Premier League.

Laudrup has also added Oscar Garcia to his backroom staff as fitness and conditioning coach.

Garcia, who worked with Laudrup at Getafe and Spartak Moscow, joins from Monaco. He succeeds Glen Driscoll, who moved to Anfield with Rodgers.

Swansea have also cancelled the contract of midfielder Scott Donnelly by mutual consent

Donnelly joined the club in August 2010 but made just one league appearance as a substitute.

PA

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