Swansea City’s £4million Deal For Ecuador Winger Jefferson Montero Nears Completion

Swansea City is close to signing Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero, according to BBC Sport, with the World Cup footballer expected to fly in for his medical exam later this week. Currently with Monarcas Morelia, the transfer fee is expected to net the Mexican club £4million. For Swansea, meanwhile, it’ll be a worthy upgrade with former record signing Pablo Hernandez set to join a club in Qatar.

This will not be Montero’s first time in Europe. The Ecuadorian played for Villarreal from 2009-2012, and then Levante on loan in 2011 before moving to Monarcas in 2012. Since arriving at Monarcas, he scored 10 goals, which is double Hernandez’s tally since signing with the Swans in 2012.

Montero received a call up for Ecuador’s national team in 2007 where he played in the Pan American games. Ecuador went on to win the competition, earning the country its first trophy in international soccer in its history. Montero scored his first international goal during a friendly against El Salvador. Montero also played in all of Ecuador’s group games during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

After a 12th finish in the Premier League last season, Swansea could benefit from Montero’s speed for the upcoming season. After Michael Laudrup was dismissed in February of 2014, captain Garry Monk took over as his replacement, and will be going into the 2014-2015 season as his first full season at Liberty Stadium as a manager and not a player.

Meanwhile, Swansea City are playing against Chivas de Guadalajara tonight in a friendly at Millers Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as part of the club’s preseason tour.