Stephen Eustaquio swiftly agreed to join Swansea City without hesitation. Fresh from aiding Canada in reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, the midfielder was enticed by the opportunity to assist the Welsh club in their pursuit of a Premier League return and to reunite with a familiar coach.
Swansea officially announced the signing of the 29-year-old from Porto, agreeing to a two-year contract with an option for an additional season. Eustaquio expressed that the chance to collaborate with head coach Vitor Matos, who he previously worked with at Porto, was a significant factor in his decision.
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,” as per a release from Swansea. Despite finishing 11th in the Championship last season, far from the promotion playoff spots, Eustaquio acknowledged the challenging path ahead for Swansea to reclaim a spot in the Premier League.
“The allure of being part of a prominent club striving to return to the top league was a major draw for me,” he remarked. “While it will undoubtedly be tough, taking each game at a time could lead to a special atmosphere in the stadium, potentially resulting in a remarkable season. Who knows?”
Originally from Leamington, Ont., with Portuguese roots, Eustaquio relocated to Portugal as a child. Before his stint at Porto, he competed for Portuguese club Chaves and Mexico’s Cruz Azul. During his time at Porto, spanning four-and-a-half years and over 150 appearances, Eustaquio also briefly played for Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC on loan earlier this year.
With 61 caps for Canada and appearances in the last two World Cups, Eustaquio made a significant impact at the recent tournament, scoring the decisive goal in Canada’s 1-0 win over South Africa in the Round of 32. He also assumed the captain’s role for several matches in the absence of Alphonso Davies due to injury.
Reflecting on his World Cup experience, Eustaquio remarked, “This summer was amazing. It was a dream come true for us as a country to advance so far in such a remarkable tournament. Achieving record-breaking feats and contributing to the team with that goal against South Africa brought immense joy.”
Eustaquio is set to wear the No. 46 jersey for Swansea and is poised to potentially debut this weekend against Derby County.