Swansea City have signed striker, Jerry Yates from Blackpool, with Kyle Joseph heading to the Tangerines for undisclosed fees.
Yates’ move to Swansea comes after he scored 46 goals in 139 appearances for Blackpool since he joined the Tangerines from Rotherham in July 2020, during which he helped the club win promotion to the Championship in his first season at Bloomfield Road with 23 goals in 54 appearances within 2020-21 season.
The 26 year-old went on to net 23 goals in 85 appearances across the last two seasons in the second-tier, but couldn’t prevent Blackpool suffering relegation at the end of last season, and has now joined the Swans on a three-year contract until June 2026 with option for a further 12 months.
I am really excited to be here, I hope I can adapt very quickly because I am really looking forward to getting down to work,” commented Yates who revealed that he had spoken to various people including manager – Michael Duff ahead of making his move.
“I spoke to someone who has close ties to the club, who played for Swansea and lived in Swansea in Ashley Williams.
“Obviously he gave me some great advice and, also, I have not enjoyed having to face Swansea over these last two seasons, so if you can’t beat them, join them!”
“I like to think I am an honest player, I am hard working, I will always give 110 per cent,” added Yates as he spoke about what fans can expect from him.
“For me, that is the minimum I expect of myself, even if I am not having the best of games or a tough run, I will never stop working hard for the team.
“You have to work hard with the ball and without, there are horrible sides of the game you have to be prepared to do if you want to be successful.
“It’s about that togetherness within the group, you always have to believe in yourselves. There is an awful lot of talent here, that goes without saying, but I think you need a little bit more than talent.
“You have got to be able to dig deep when that is needed of you, and hopefully we will have that this year.
“You have to expect that there is pressure that comes with the job, like I say the talent I have seen at Swansea over these last two seasons has been frightening and I am looking to trying to help the team to achieve our goals.”
Yates is Swansea’s third signing of this summer’s transfer window after Josh Ginnelly and Josh Key from Hearts and Exeter City respectively.
Swansea consequently have allowed Joseph to join Blackpool on a permanent transfer with the 21 year-old signing a three-year contract at Bloomfield Road.
Explaining his decision to move to Blackpool, Joseph said: “This is a move I was really keen on getting done and I’m so pleased to be here.”
Joseph went on to reveal that Head Coach, Neil Critchley played a key role in his decision to make the move, as he added: “The Head Coach made it clear to me how much he wanted me to come here. With such an exciting project here at the Club as well, it feels like a really good fit.
“I want to progress further and help this Club succeed, so I can’t wait to get started.”
Critchley added that he is “delighted” to secure Joseph after tracking him “for a long time”, with the 21 year-old having suited the third-tier following “successful loans” with Cheltenham and Oxford United after making his breakthrough with Wigan in the division in 20-21 season prior to his switch to Swansea at end of that campaign.
Across three seasons within League One, Joseph has scored 19 goals in 83 appearances which Critchley believes will make the 21 year-old “a player with a high ceiling who we can develop. We want to provide him with the right environment and the right coaching for him to showcase his ability.”
Critchley proceeded to add that Joseph suits his style for this coming season, as he explained: “He’s an all-action centre forward who suits how we want to play and from speaking to him, his character will fit in well with the group we already have.
“He’s hungry, ambitious and is striving to constantly improve which fits the Club’s identity and is what we want from any new addition.”
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