Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane looks set to join Championship high-flyers Swansea City according to The Athletic’s Stuart James.
The Republic of Ireland international is set to join Steve Cooper’s promotion bid in the Championship. He is a terrific signing for the Swans and certainly will aid their promotion bid.
Hourihane will join Swansea on loan for the rest of the season. He will be the Swans’ second signing in this transfer window.
Conor Hourihane Set to Join Swansea on Loan
Hourihane Calling Time on Five Terrific Years at Aston Villa
The Irish midfielder has been a terrific servant for Villa since moving from Barnsley in 2016. He has played a significant part in Villa’s rise back to the Premier League and helping Dean Smith’s team establish themselves.
However, Hourihane seems to have fallen down the pecking order having not played for Villa since the end of November. He wants regular game time, something Dean Smith cannot guarantee due to the form of his players and the strong impression made by teenager Jacob Ramsey.
Hourihane has played just four Premier League games this season and ultimately at this stage of his career, he wants game time. He was a loyal servant to the football club, chipping in with fantastic goals and brilliant performances. He departs with the best wishes of all who have an association with Villa.
His fantastic goals in local derbies, helping Villa get promoted as well as his wicked set-piece deliveries will be things that live long in Villa fans memory.
Statement Signing From Swansea City
Aston Villa’s loss looks set to be Swansea’s gain. The Swans are in the box seat for promotion having opened up a four-point gap between themselves and the sides chasing the automatic promotion places.
The arrival of Hourihane adds further quality to an already talented team. Steve Cooper is after reinforcements after seeing several loan signings recalled by their parent clubs. Hourihane is set to be followed by Seattle Sounders striker Jordan Morris.
Hourihane is a dangerous player at Championship level. He is a hardworking player full of quality. His passing range is excellent and he knows how to score goals at this level. During his time at Villa, he became the first midfielder since David Platt to reach double figures in terms of goals in a league season. That is a year Villa lost the play-off final to Fulham.
He is certainly a statement signing from Swansea City having beaten Championship rivals to the Irishman’s signature.
It’s unlikely to be signed in time for Swansea’s league game with Blackburn Rovers this evening. However, he could be signed in time for Swansea City’s FA Cup 4th round tie against Nottingham Forest.
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