Stephen Eustaquio readily accepted the opportunity to join Swansea City without much persuasion. Fresh from aiding Canada in reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, the midfielder was enticed by the prospect of assisting the Welsh club in their pursuit of a return to the Premier League, as well as reuniting with a familiar coach.
On Thursday, Swansea officially confirmed the signing of the 29-year-old from Porto, with a two-year contract and an option for an additional season. Eustaquio emphasized the significance of working under head coach Vitor Matos, who had previously been associated with Porto, as a key factor in his decision-making process.
Expressing his excitement, 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.” Despite finishing 11th in the Championship last season, well below the promotion playoff spots, Eustaquio acknowledges the challenging road ahead for Swansea to reclaim their Premier League status.
“The dream of being part of a big club aiming to return to the top league was a major draw for me,” he remarked. “While it will be a tough journey, taking it one game at a time could create a special atmosphere in the stadium, potentially leading to a remarkable season. Who knows?”
Hailing from Leamington, Ontario, to Portuguese parents, Eustaquio relocated to Portugal during his childhood. Prior to his tenure at Porto, he featured for Portuguese outfit Chaves and Mexico’s Cruz Azul. With over 150 appearances during his four-and-a-half-year stint at Porto, Eustaquio also had a brief loan spell at Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC earlier this year.
Having earned 61 caps for Canada and represented the nation in the last two World Cups, Eustaquio made a significant impact at this summer’s tournament. Notably, he scored the crucial stoppage-time winner in Canada’s 1-0 triumph over South Africa in the Round of 32 before Canada’s elimination by Morocco. Additionally, he assumed the captain’s role in several matches due to Alphonso Davies’ hamstring injury.
Reflecting on his World Cup experience, Eustaquio expressed, “This summer was amazing. It was a dream come true for us as a country to progress so far in such a prestigious tournament.” He highlighted the joy of setting records and contributing a vital goal against South Africa as standout moments.
Eustaquio is set to don the No. 46 jersey for Swansea and could potentially make his debut in the upcoming fixture against Derby County.