The centre half was a standout on loan at Motherwell and is now set for the English Championship.
12:41, 08 Jun 2026
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Stephen Welsh in action for Motherwell last season(Image: Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus/Shutterstock)
Swansea City are closing in on the signing of Celtic defender Stephen Welsh.
The English Championship outfit is about to finalise a multi-year deal for the classy defender.
Welsh had other English Championship options and an offer from Major League Soccer.
The 26-year-old has agreed to terminate his Celtic contract early.
Welsh still had a year left on his deal with the Scottish champions but will walk away from that for a fresh challenge.
The defender is ready for the next step in his career and is set to join the Welsh outfit.
Several English Championship sides were keen, along with strong European and Scottish Premiership interest.
Welsh has decided that he wants to move to Wales.
Swansea boss Vitor Matos has made a big push for the Scot.
Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant at Liverpool has convinced Welsh that the Swans should be his next move.
Welsh comes off a brilliant loan at Motherwell last season.
He was a standout and one of the top defenders in Scotland.
That put him firmly on Swansea’s radar.
It will see Welsh leave his boyhood club.
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Stephen Welsh(Image: PA)
Welsh came through the youth ranks and was part of squads that won three Premierships, two Scottish Cups and three League Cups.
He also had other loans at Morton and Mechelen in his time at Parkhead.
Martin O’Neill, who will remain in charge of the champions next season, recalled Welsh in January from Motherwell, but agreed to let him return to Fir Park for the second half of the season.
Welsh indirectly helped Celtic in the title race as part of a Motherwell side which beat Rangers at Ibrox and drew with Hearts.
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