After yesterday’s news on Florian Banachini joining the Swans on a permanent deal there is confirmation that he and Nelson Abbey of Olympiakos have passed their medicals. As of this morning barring any last minute hiccups they are readying themselves to be announced as new additions to this seasons Swansea City squad.
That’s our information this morning. And to be registered in time for Sunday, v Cardiff City, although not a certainty will have to be done before midday today.
Abbey, a current England U20 international signed for Olympiacos in January from Reading after a turbulent time with the financial mismanagement of his boyhood club. Unfortunately he was ineligible to play in the UEFA Conference journey to the final, some nine games which saw his club win 1-0 in the final against Fiorentina. Olympiacos knocked out Aston Villa in the semi finals. That was the level Nathan was attempting to reach after a half season representing Reading as captain and the fans golden boy. The disappointment when he left for Greece was palpable, and for not a lot of money.
Abbey has seen just three games in his eight months, it could be four but our information states three - in Greece and has found his time their difficult. The chance of a loan opportunity has been seized on by Swansea City. It now seems his time in Greece will see Nathan a Swans player for the rest of this season. The Swans don’t normally agree to the type of condition regards buying a loan player etc, but this could be too good an opportunity to miss. Nathan is twenty one at the end of this month, he needs to put back his Olympiacos experience and be at a club that welcomes him and assists him to develop his potential in a way that only Swansea can.
With other players incoming to Olympiacos Nelson was going to see himself further down the pecking order. This loan made so much sense for him.
As Luke explained yesterday. "We're still not finished in recruitment. But this will be a big step forward in giving us more cover and making us more competitive. So great news” Well, that player and now Florian are that extra cover and are two players who strengthen the squad.
We covered Florian yesterday afternoon.
With Luton Town and Nottingham Forest trailing Nathan right before Olympiacos got his signature this isn’t another desperate signing. This is a clever piece of business by Swansea City.