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Ian Mitchelmore & Tom Coleman

Swansea City transfer news as Swans fight off MLS interest to land signing and Bony hailed 'world class'

Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City news for Friday, February 17.

Swans fought off competition to land ex-Wolves keeper

Swansea City have signed goalkeeper Andreas Sondergaard on a free transfer, despite the youngster attracting interest from MLS.

The 22-year-old left Wolves at the end of January without making a single first-team appearance, and has signed a short-term deal that will keep him at the Swansea.com Stadium until the end of the season.

READ MORE: Swansea City have just signed ex-Wolves free agent Andreas Sondergaard

And it seems the Swans moved ahead of several other sides in landing the Danish youngster, who recently told Tipsbladet there were a number of teams keeping tabs on his situation.

"You don’t get any names, but there is something from MLS in the USA, among other things. There is also something in England in the smaller ranks – something [in the] Championship and League One," he said.

“So, there has been a bit of everything, so now it’s time to find out what should happen now. There is no stress right now, but I hope something can happen soon.

“It’s been concrete. I got a contract offer from the US. That’s where the most interest is.”

Sondergaard is yet to comment on his latest move, but has previously suggested he was keen to ensure he joined a club where he would be handed the opportunity to take the number one jersey.

“Of course, the most important thing for me now is to get out and play football, play matches and be able to come in as first keeper," he said. "But if I have to go into a place where it will be as second keeper to start with, and where the battle for the first position is open, then I am also willing to do that.

“I’m actually a bit open to it all, but there has to be the right plan for me to be able to go in and be second goalkeeper somewhere.”

Bony hailed 'world class'

Wilfried Bony has been branded 'world class' by new team-mate Marc Enoumba ahead of the former Swansea City striker's anticipated debut for new club Always Ready.

The Bolivian side completed a deal for the Ivorian this week, although bizarrely he is only eligible to play in the team's Copa Libertadores campaign.

He's poised to play some role in next week's clash with Chilean side Magallanes, and Cameroonian Enoumba is expecting Bony to make a big impact.

He told Deporte Total: "After five years at the club, he's going to be the first African to wear the Always Ready shirt, so I'm happy about that, happy about the signing. He is a world-class player.

"Bony wanted to know how the club worked, what Bolivian soccer was like, what the Copa Libertadores was like. I was able to clarify those issues, I was able to give him some details and the rest I told him that he would have to come see him."

Wood's steep learning curve

Nathan Wood admits he's relishing the chance to test himself against Blackburn Rovers this weekend having been "on edge" when he faced Jon Dahl Tomasson's side earlier in the season.

Wood joined the Swans on a permanent deal from Championship rivals Middlesbrough in June last year and made his home debut against Rovers in early August. However, the Swans were undone by some defensive errors in that contest as the Lancashire outfit left south Wales with all three points following an emphatic 3-0 win.

But the defender feels he is now far better placed to cope with the threats Blackburn pose having played more than half a season in the Championship with Swansea.

"It was only my second game as a Swansea player. I just felt on edge in the second half," said the 20-year-old.

"I feel like now, I've gone through more of those situations so I'm more experienced in dealing with the state of a game and keeping level headed.

"I'm just looking forward to the challenge, and I know it'll be a challenge because they're a good team, they've got good players, they pose a threat so I'm just looking forward to seeing how I cope with it. Last time, personally, I didn't feel I coped well with the situation of the game. Since then I've learnt how to be better with things like that."

No fresh concerns for Martin

Swansea City Russell Martin has confirmed he has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday's trip to Blackburn Rovers, but admits there are some 'tired bodies' within his ranks.

The Swans are poised for a third game in a week, and face Stoke City on Tuesday night, meaning Martin may well have to shuffle his pack a little.

However, he insists there are currently no fresh concerns heading into another busy week. “There are some tired bodies as you’d expect, but everyone is ready and raring to go,” he said.

“We’ve got three games in six days, so we’ll have to be ready to utilise the squad over the next two games – whether that’s on Saturday or Tuesday.

“We’ve had some players who haven’t played for a while, but came back into the team so we have to be conscious of that.

“But we’re comfortable that everyone we select tomorrow will be recovered in time.

“Matty [Sorinola] was tired, he put in a massive shift and Luke Cundle hasn’t started a game for a while and did brilliantly.

“But these two days have been all about recovery so we can put a team on the pitch on Saturday that’s full of energy.”

Rovers team news

Blackburn are sweating on the fitness of Scott Wharton and Joe Rankin-Costello ahead of their Championship clash with Swansea.

Both players were forced off through injury during Blackburn's 1-1 draw with West Brom at The Hawthorns Stadium on Wednesday night.

Sam Szmodics was also struggling late on in that contest against the Baggies, with all three players being monitored in the build-up to Swansea's trip to Ewood Park.

Thomas Kaminski, Jake Batty and Sam Barnes are all unavailable. Kick-off in Lancashire is at 3pm on Saturday.

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