13-07-2023, 08:02
Swansea City have signed striker Jerry Yates from Blackpool, with forward Kyle Joseph moving in the opposite direction in another permanent deal.
Yates joins the Championship side on a three-year deal, for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £2.5m.
The 26-year-old scored 15 goals last season, but that was not enough to save Blackpool from relegation to League One.
"I am really excited to be here," said Yates.
"I hope I can adapt very quickly because I am really looking forward to getting down to work.
"I spoke to a lot of people before coming here, and I wanted to make sure I had the right advice.
"I spoke to someone who has close ties to the club, who played for Swansea and lived in Swansea in Ashley Williams.
"Obviously he gave me some great advice and, also, I have not enjoyed having to face Swansea over these last two seasons. So if you can't beat them, join them."
Yates becomes new Swansea head coach Michael Duff's third signing of the summer, following forward Josh Ginnelly and right-back Josh Key.
Swansea's move for Yates will cast further doubt over the future of Joel Piroe, the Welsh club's top scorer in the last two seasons.
Piroe only has a year to run on his contract and is believed to be attracting interest from the likes of Leicester City and Leeds United.
England coach Margetson returns to Swansea
Money available for investment - chairman Coleman
Swansea can return to Premier League - Duff
Yates had been linked with a number of Championship clubs following Blackpool's relegation.
He has scored 46 goals in 139 appearances since joining Blackpool from Rotherham United in 2020, including one in the shock FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest last season.
Yates spent time as a youngster with hometown club Doncaster Rovers before joining the Millers.
He had loan spells at Harrogate Town, Carlisle United and Swindon Town prior to his move to Blackpool.
"I like to think I am an honest player, I am hard working, I will always give 110%," said Yates.
"For me, that is the minimum I expect of myself, even if I am not having the best of games or a tough run, I will never stop working hard for the team.
"You have to work hard with the ball and without; there are horrible sides of the game you have to be prepared to do if you want to be successful.
Jerry Yates and Ben Cabango
Forward Jerry Yates scored 15 goals last season but missed a penalty against Swansea
"It's about that togetherness within the group, you always have to believe in yourselves. There is an awful lot of talent here, that goes without saying, but I think you need a little bit more than talent.
"You have got to be able to dig deep when that is needed of you, and hopefully we will have that this year.
"You have to expect that there is pressure that comes with the job. Like I say, the talent I have seen at Swansea over these last two seasons has been frightening, and I am looking forward to trying to help the team to achieve our goals."
Joseph 'excited by Blackpool project'
Joseph joins Blackpool for an undisclosed fee having spent last season on loan at Oxford United, where he scored 10 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions.
The 21-year-old has represented Scotland at under-18, under-19 and under-21 level.
"This is a move I was really keen on getting done and I'm so pleased to be here," Joseph said of his move to Blackpool.
"The head coach [Neil Critchley] made it clear to me how much he wanted me to come here. With such an exciting project here at the club as well, it feels like a really good fit.
"I want to progress further and help this club succeed, so I can't wait to get started."
Yates joins the Championship side on a three-year deal, for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £2.5m.
The 26-year-old scored 15 goals last season, but that was not enough to save Blackpool from relegation to League One.
"I am really excited to be here," said Yates.
"I hope I can adapt very quickly because I am really looking forward to getting down to work.
"I spoke to a lot of people before coming here, and I wanted to make sure I had the right advice.
"I spoke to someone who has close ties to the club, who played for Swansea and lived in Swansea in Ashley Williams.
"Obviously he gave me some great advice and, also, I have not enjoyed having to face Swansea over these last two seasons. So if you can't beat them, join them."
Yates becomes new Swansea head coach Michael Duff's third signing of the summer, following forward Josh Ginnelly and right-back Josh Key.
Swansea's move for Yates will cast further doubt over the future of Joel Piroe, the Welsh club's top scorer in the last two seasons.
Piroe only has a year to run on his contract and is believed to be attracting interest from the likes of Leicester City and Leeds United.
England coach Margetson returns to Swansea
Money available for investment - chairman Coleman
Swansea can return to Premier League - Duff
Yates had been linked with a number of Championship clubs following Blackpool's relegation.
He has scored 46 goals in 139 appearances since joining Blackpool from Rotherham United in 2020, including one in the shock FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest last season.
Yates spent time as a youngster with hometown club Doncaster Rovers before joining the Millers.
He had loan spells at Harrogate Town, Carlisle United and Swindon Town prior to his move to Blackpool.
"I like to think I am an honest player, I am hard working, I will always give 110%," said Yates.
"For me, that is the minimum I expect of myself, even if I am not having the best of games or a tough run, I will never stop working hard for the team.
"You have to work hard with the ball and without; there are horrible sides of the game you have to be prepared to do if you want to be successful.
Jerry Yates and Ben Cabango
Forward Jerry Yates scored 15 goals last season but missed a penalty against Swansea
"It's about that togetherness within the group, you always have to believe in yourselves. There is an awful lot of talent here, that goes without saying, but I think you need a little bit more than talent.
"You have got to be able to dig deep when that is needed of you, and hopefully we will have that this year.
"You have to expect that there is pressure that comes with the job. Like I say, the talent I have seen at Swansea over these last two seasons has been frightening, and I am looking forward to trying to help the team to achieve our goals."
Joseph 'excited by Blackpool project'
Joseph joins Blackpool for an undisclosed fee having spent last season on loan at Oxford United, where he scored 10 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions.
The 21-year-old has represented Scotland at under-18, under-19 and under-21 level.
"This is a move I was really keen on getting done and I'm so pleased to be here," Joseph said of his move to Blackpool.
"The head coach [Neil Critchley] made it clear to me how much he wanted me to come here. With such an exciting project here at the club as well, it feels like a really good fit.
"I want to progress further and help this club succeed, so I can't wait to get started."
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