Stephen Eustaquio swiftly agreed to join Swansea City when the opportunity arose. Fresh from aiding Canada in reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, the midfielder was enticed by the chance to assist the Welsh club in their pursuit of returning to the Premier League and reuniting with a familiar coach.
Swansea City revealed the signing of the 29-year-old from Porto, securing him on a two-year deal with an option for an additional season. Eustaquio highlighted the influence of working with head coach Vitor Matos, who had previous ties with Porto, as a significant factor in his decision.
Expressing his satisfaction with the move, Eustaquio stated, “It was almost a no-brainer for me. I know what I’m going to get here, so I’m very happy that I made this decision.” Despite Swansea finishing 11th in the Championship last season, far from promotion contention, Eustaquio acknowledged the challenging path ahead for the team to regain Premier League status.
“The allure of being part of a prominent club striving to return to the top league was a major draw for me,” Eustaquio remarked. “While it will be a tough journey, approaching each game individually could lead to creating a special atmosphere in the stadium and potentially a remarkable season. Who knows?”
Originally from Leamington, Ontario, with Portuguese roots, Eustaquio relocated to Portugal as a youngster. Prior to his time at Porto, he played for Chaves in Portugal and Cruz Azul in Mexico. Accumulating over 150 appearances in his four-and-a-half years at Porto, Eustaquio also had a brief loan spell at Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC earlier this year.
With 61 caps for Canada and appearances in the last two World Cups, Eustaquio made a significant impact at this summer’s tournament. His stoppage-time goal secured Canada’s 1-0 triumph over South Africa in the Round of 32, followed by their elimination by Morocco. Eustaquio, who often wore the captain’s armband in Alphonso Davies’ absence due to injury, reflected on the memorable experience of the tournament.
“It was an incredible summer for us as a nation, reaching new heights in a prestigious competition,” Eustaquio shared. “Breaking records and contributing with the winning goal against South Africa brought immense joy and pride to the team.”
Set to don the No. 46 jersey for Swansea, Eustaquio could potentially make his debut in the upcoming match against Derby County this weekend.