Swansea City have announced the signing of defender Stephen Welsh from Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.

The 26-year-old centre-back will formally join the Swans on July 1, on a two-year contract which includes the option of an additional 12 months.

Welsh joins on a free transfer, having agreed to terminate his contract with Scottish champions Celtic at the end of June.

The former Scotland Under-21 international spent last season on loan at Motherwell, where he was consistently impressive as the Fir Park side finished fourth in the Scottish Premiership.

Welsh made 29 appearances for Motherwell last season and will compete at the centre back position with Ben Cabango and Cameron Burgess.

Welsh has spent his entire career on the books at Celtic, coming through the youth ranks at Parkhead to make 70 first-team appearances. He won nine trophies across his Bhoys career, and featured in the Europa League and Champions League for them.

Welsh had also had loan spells with Greenock Morton and Belgian side Mechelen, prior to his stint with Motherwell.

“I am delighted to be joining Swansea, it’s a big club with a proud history,” Welsh said.

“They made it clear that they really wanted me, and with the way the head coach spoke about the club, the environment he wants to create and the way he wants to play; it was a no-brainer.

“The Championship is a brilliant division, and one I am excited to be playing my football in and challenging myself in. I have experience but I am also young enough to be ready for a new opportunity and a new chapter in my career.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to south Wales and playing in front of the supporters.

“I hope we can improve on last season and achieve what we want to, because we have got some great players here and the plans for the future are exciting.”

“Stephen is an experienced player, who will add quality to our squad,” added head coach Vitor Matos.

“He is calm, mobile and used to playing for teams who look to be dominant with and without the ball.

“We are really pleased to have come to an agreement, and we are looking forward to starting work with him during pre-season.”

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