Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustaquio swiftly embraced the opportunity to join Swansea City following his success in helping Canada advance to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Eustaquio, coming off an impressive World Cup campaign, was enticed by the chance to aid the Welsh club in their quest to return to the Premier League and work once again with familiar coach Vitor Matos. Swansea recently confirmed the signing of the 29-year-old from Porto, sealing a two-year deal with an option for an additional season.
Expressing his excitement about the move, Eustaquio emphasized the influence of reuniting with coach Matos, stating, “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’s 11th-place finish in the Championship last season, far from the promotion playoff positions, Eustaquio acknowledges the challenging journey ahead to secure a Premier League return.
“The dream of contributing to a prominent club aiming for top-league resurgence was a major draw for me,” Eustaquio remarked. “While it will undoubtedly be a tough road, approaching each game with focus could lead to a remarkable atmosphere in the stadium and potentially a memorable season. Who knows?”
Originally from Leamington, Ontario, and of Portuguese descent, Eustaquio relocated to Portugal in his youth. Prior to his tenure at Porto, he competed for Portuguese side Chaves and Mexico’s Cruz Azul. With over 150 appearances during 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.
Eustaquio, boasting 61 caps for Canada and World Cup experience, delivered a crucial stoppage-time goal against South Africa in this summer’s tournament. Reflecting on the achievement, he expressed, “This summer was amazing. It was a dream come true for our nation to reach such heights in a remarkable tournament.”
Set to don the No. 46 jersey for Swansea, Eustaquio is anticipated to make his debut in the upcoming fixture against Derby County.