Former Celtic defender Stephen Welsh has been speaking about his move to Swansea City this summer. The 26-year-old centre-back agreed to end his contract at Parkhead before agreeing a contract with Swansea, ending his long association with the Bhoys, having come through the youth ranks.
Welsh has spent the majority of the last couple of years out on loan with Motherwell, and his form there has seen him bag a pretty big move to the Championship, where he will hope to fight for a playoff spot with the Swans, who have offered him a fitting home, given his surname.
Welsh started Swansea's first league game of the season on Saturday, which was a comeback away win over Stoke City.
Welsh on his Celtic exit
Speaking to CeltsAreHere about his exit from Celtic and the cancelling of his contract, Welsh revealed: "Originally it came from them (Celtic) which is fair enough. Going back to Motherwell in January that was probably the point that I knew that I had to move on in the summer.
“It’s a tough decision but I think selfishly you need to make decisions for your own career, they need to for the club as well so we just came to an agreement that it would be best to move on. As soon as Swansea came calling it was a no-brainer for me.”
The defender added: "Yeah, I don’t know the financial logistics but for me it’s about playing and being involved with the squad.
“Obviously they didn’t see me as part of that which is fair enough. It’s a football business at the end of the day which is cutthroat so you need to respect every decision made.
“Honestly it probably suited me in the end because I get to come down here without any transfer fees. It was club to player which made it easier for Swansea.”
Swansea finished nine points outside the playoffs last season, and they are not one of the favourites to finish in the top six this term. But if they can keep hold of star striker Yan Vipotnik, who was the league's top scorer last season, they will feel they have every chance of making a top six run. Conversely, if Vipotnik leaves, even if it is for the reported £20million asking price, they may find life difficult.
Welsh looks as though he will see plenty of football at the Liberty Stadium, already becoming a starter at the back.
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