Swansea - Chasing That European Dream!!

Mark Kolatowicz takes over at Swansea

Michael Laudrup: has already been linked to the Barcelona Job.

The Spanish champions are starting their search for a new manager after Tito Vilanova stepped aside from his position due to serious illness.

Laudrup, who won four Primera Division titles in five years as a player with Barcelona between 1989 and 1994, tried to fend off questions about the link.

"I can't comment on the speculation, it's all just happened today and even for those in the club who maybe knew about the situation, I still think the announcement will have come as a shock," Laudrup said.

"we are deeply shocked that Michael has decided to resign after a very successful year at our club, but we wish him the best in whichever way he steps forward. He will be a great manager for any club in the world" Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said.

"Along with Michaels departure, we acted very quickly as to not distrupt our pre-season training and got in Mark Kolatowicz, although unknown in the footballing world, he gave us exactly what we wanted to hear in the interview and feel he was the perfect choice to take over from Michael" Huw Jenkins.

Wilfried Bony to join up with Swansea as work permit application succeeds

Wilfried Bony: Cleared for inclusion in Swansea's European squad.

Swansea's record signing Wilfired Bony has been granted a work permit.

The £12m striker made his debut in a friendly in Holland but has been training with his previous club Vitesse Arnhem pending the outcome of his application.

A statement on the Swansea website confirmed the matter is now resolved, allowing Bony to join up with his new team-mates this week.

He is expected to feature in Saturday's friendly at Reading and will be part of Mark Kolatowicz's Europa League squad.

Marco Capuano tops Swansea wishlist

Marco Capuano: The £5m rated defender in action

Mark Kolatowicz has named Marco Capuano has his number 1 transfer target as he looks at add to his defence before the new season and Europa League qualifiers begin. Capuano who plays for recently relegated Italian side Pescara, has made 17 appearances for the Italian under 21s. He is wanted by 2 other clubs in Italy so Kolatowicz will have a battle if he wished to bring Marco to England.

Kolatowiczs hopes of signing Capuano are dashed

Marco Capuano: Rejects chance to play in England

Top transfer target Marco Capuano has today rejected the chance to play in England with Swansea and has opted to stay with his current club Pescara. The lure of Europa League football wasnt enough to entice Capuano to make the move and has left Kolatowicz looking back on his drawing board as he looks for more defensive cover.

Although not in a defensive position Swansea are being highly linked with Neilton, a 16 year old attacking midfielder/striker who plays Santos in Brazil, already being dubbed the new Neymar and is highly rated by the coaching staff at Santos.

Good luck with Swansea Mark

Seni - Thanks mate, hopefully get a decent European run going with them :D

Swansea show class to upstage Ajax

Wilfried Bony: Bony appreciates Swanseas win.

Swansea City 2 - 1 AFC Ajax(Friendly)

In a surprise result, Swansea City overcame AFC Ajax at the Liberty Stadium 2-1.

Striker Wilfried Bony gave Swansea the lead with a finish executed with aplomb in the 39th minute. Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey doubled Swanseas lead with an accurate finish on 49 minutes.

Things went from bad to worse for AFC Ajax as experienced midfielder Christian Poulsen was back in the dressing room on 62 minutes. Striker Danny Hoesens 88th minute strike proved the only consolation for AFC Ajax.

Player of the match: Jonjo Shelvey(Swansea)
Attendance: 7,419

Swansea announce £24.5m transfer budget

Swansea: money available to improve squad

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins confirms £24.5m transfer budget

Mark Kolatowicz was given a boost today when he was told of his £24.5m transfer budget, although he refused to be drawn into speculation about certain players. He did however say that various negotiations were underway and that he was hopeful that at least 2 players would join before the end of the week. He was also quick to point out that although positive talks with Brooklyn Beckham and his agent had been ongoing, the youngster has opted to sign a pre-contract with Queens Park Rangers.

"We are looking to sign around 7-10 players to give cover for various positions and more quality to the team, we dont want to have 1 striker and then if he gets injured, we end up jumping into market in the wrong state of mind and over spend on a player. We want quality back ups in place" Mark Kolatowicz said.

Well then! Not a half decent budget! You should finish at least top half with that budget!

Nathaniel - Yeah its a great budget, wasnt expecting as much, ill be looking to end in top half whilst buying for the future

7-10 players? couldn't that interupt the squad bringing so many new players in

It's Me - Yeah theirs a chance it could but im looking at youngsters aswell, so i dont think the more senior players will feel unhappy..well i hope anyway

Swansea get Dinamo Minsk in Europa League

Europa League: Current holders Chelsea Football Club

Swansea City will play Dinamo Minsk in the Europa League Third Qualifying Round

Swansea have been drawn as the home team in the tie so the game will take place at The Liberty Stadium on the 2nd of August.

The current holders of the competition are Chelsea.

Swansea ensure victory at The Liberty Stadium

Jonjo Shelvey: Scored winner to ensure victory

Swansea City showed their superiority in a 1-0 victory over Dinamo Minsk during their Europa League Third Qualifying Round game at The Liberty Stadium but they should have scored more.

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey gave Swansea City the lead with a well struck effort from 22 metres in the 19th minute.

Swansea City had a number of attempts at goal but their profligacy meant they didnt score as many as they maybe would have liked.

Player of the match: Jonjo Shelvey(Swansea)
Attendance: 11,416

Swansea sign Neilton

Neilton: Dubbed the new 'Neymar'

Swansea have decided to splash the cash on Santos' Neilton

The deal bringing the 18 year old Brazilian attacking midfielder to the club is thought to be around £6,000,000.

The youngster previously had 22 months remaining on his old £1.2k p/w deal.

Swansea supporter spokesperson Lynn Hinchcliffe has revealed the fans are pleased to have acquired a player of Neilton's calibre and hope is experience with bigger clubs serves the team well.

Swansea sign Ademilson

Ademilson: Touted as the next 'Roberto Dinamite'

Swansea have opened their cheque book to sign eighteen year old Brazilian striker Ademilson for £8,750,000 from Sao Paulo.

The youngster previously had 4 years remaining on his old £4.6k p/w deal.

Swansea supporter spokesperson Lynn Hinchcliffe has revealed the fans are pleased to have acquired a player of Ademilson's calibre and hope is experience with bigger clubs serves the team well.

Great start and good luck

wellsy1498 - Thanks mate really appreciated

Swansea sign Strootman

Strootman: Highly wanted midfielder opted for Swansea

Swansea have splashed the cash on PSV's Kevin Strootman, landing the Dutch central midfielder for a fee of £17,750,000.

Strootman who joined PSV from FC Utrecht for a fee of £5.5M in 2011, is said to be eager to join up with his new team-mates and impress his new manager.

Strootman's arrival has delighted the clubs fans, with supporters spokesperson Lynn Hinchcliffe revealing that the deal was considered a coup and that the player should really have commanded a higher fee.

Swansea hammer Dinamo Minsk

Swansea players celebrate after 1st goal

A young Swansea side showed that you can win with kids as they came out on top against a much more experienced Dinamo Minsk on a breezy evening in Torperdo.

With the game nearing an end, it was Alex Pozuelo who scored a nice effort from 10 metres to give Swansea the lead on 80 minutes.

An error from Dinamo Minsk's IIiya Goncharik allowed striker Wilfried Bony to score an accurate finish which went in off the post.

Swansea therefore win 3-0 on aggregate.

Player of the match: Angel Rangel(Swansea)
Attendance: 5,059

Good win and congrats on signing Strootman, amazing player