Swansea City signing Dwight Tiendalli: I can't wait to get started

SWANSEA City hope they have assembled a stronger squad than ever after Dwight Tiendalli became Michael Laudrup’s ninth signing.

Left-back Tiendalli says he is ready to debut against Aston Villa next weekend if required after penning a one-year Liberty Stadium deal.

The 26-year-old was a free agent after leaving Dutch top-flight side FC Twente in the summer, and has joined Swansea as cover for long-term casualty Neil Taylor.

He should be the last new face for a while after a hectic spell of transfer activity in SA1, with Pablo Hernandez, Ki Sung-Yueng, Chico Flores, Michu and Kyle Bartley all arriving for seven-figure fees.

Swansea gave also signed Jonathan de Guzman and Itay Shechter on season-long loans plus youngster Jamie Proctor.

And though Swansea have lost influential figures like Joe Allen and Scott Sinclair, Huw Jenkins believes the club’s playing staff could prove to be more powerful than ever.

“We are happy,” said the Swansea chairman.

“There has been a lot of change within the club, with a good few players coming in and a few going out.

“And I think we have done all we hoped to do to take us along between now and January when the window opens again.

“We wanted to give Michael (Laudrup) a chance to assess things. Our aim in the transfer window was to take that first step and we feel we have done that.

“We have spent quite a bit of money, although all that was only in relation to what we received.

“And we have made sure we brought in a few players with experience of playing at the highest level in La Liga.

“Michael felt that was important — to get players who could come and perform for us straightaway.”

Swansea moved for Tiendalli after Taylor suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the draw with Sunderland ten days ago.

“The aim was to find someone who could come into the squad and give us some cover at left-back, and that’s what we’ve got,” Jenkins added.

Former Ajax youngster Tiendalli has played with Swansea trio Michel Vorm, Jonathan de Guzman and Kemy Agustien in the past.

He made his breakthrough at first-team level with Utrecht before he earned a move to Feyenoord.

Tiendalli then had a stint with Sparta Rotterdam before switching to Twente, where he played Champions League and Europa League football.

The Surinam-born star has played for the Holland Under-21s, playing a big part as that side won the European Championship six years ago.

“I am here to impress the manager as much as possible and try to play as many games as I can,” Tiendalli said after passing a medical yesterday.

“I know my opportunity comes after an unfortunate injury for Neil Taylor, but hopefully I can bring experience to the squad and more options for the manager.

“It would be great to play on Saturday against Aston Villa, but my concentration first and foremost is to impress the manager in training and get used to my new team-mates.”

Tiendalli, who looks like competing with Ben Davies for the left-back jersey in Taylor’s absence, consulted de Guzman before completing his move to Wales.

“I spoke with Jonathan about the club and all he said were positive things,” he explained.

“He talked very fondly about the people, players and fans here.

“And, of course, the style of football here is very, very attractive.

“I love this style and it was a big attraction for me.

“I’m looking forward to working under Michael Laudrup, who is a massive name in football, and showing him what I have to offer.

“Playing in the Premier League is something I have always wanted to do — it’s the best league in the world.

“I’m sure I will fit in very well because I share the same philosophy as the club.

“Having started my career in Ajax’s youth side, I see the style of play here as one that has a real Dutch and Spanish mix, and that will really suit me.

“I can’t wait to work hard in training and try to force myself into the starting XI.”