Swansea (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Spanish striker Fernando Llorente, a member of his country’s 2010 World Cup-winning squad, signed for English Premier League side Swansea City from Sevilla on Friday.
The 31-year-old — whose only appearance in the 2010 World Cup campaign was as a substitute in the last-16 win over Portugal — signed a two-year contract with the Swans after passing his medical.
Llorente, known as the ‘Lion King’, won two Serie A titles with Juventus and an Italian Cup after joining them from Athletic Bilbao, with whom he had reached the Europa League final and two Spanish Cup finals.
Llorente — who was also a member of Spain’s Euro 2012 title-winning squad but did not play — could make his debut for Swansea on Saturday in a friendly against French Ligue 1 outfit Rennes.
Llorente, who won the Europa League with Sevilla last season, joins Dutch duo Mike van der Hoorn and Leroy Fer as well as Australian goalkeeper Mark Birighitti as close-season signings by Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin.
Swansea, who have also acquired new owners in the shape of an American consortium who bought a 60 percent stake, will hope Llorente is as productive for them as one of his compatriots.
Michu scored 22 goals for the club, including one in their League Cup final victory over Bradford City, in the 2012/13 campaign.
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