Swansea have completed the signing of Spanish striker Fernando Llorente.
The 31-year-old, who was part of the Spain squads that won the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship, joins from Sevilla after scoring nearly 130 goals in a career which has also taken in Athletic Bilbao and Juventus.
“The striker, who will wear squad number nine, has signed a two-year contract at the Liberty Stadium after undergoing a successful medical,” said a Swansea statement.
The 24-times capped Llorente won two Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia at Juventus after helping Athletic Bilbao to the finals of the Copa del Rey and Europa League.
Llorente was part of the Sevilla squad which beat Liverpool to lift the Europa League title in May, but it is understood that his game time would have been limited under the club’s new manager Jorge Sampaoli this season.
“I am very happy to join Swansea,” Llorente told the official club website.
“I have scored goals in La Liga and Serie A, and now I want to score a lot of goals for the club in the Premier League.
“I want to score a lot of goals like Michu. He is a very good player and he did very well here.”
Llorente said he is looking forward to playing for Swansea’s Italian coach Francesco Guidolin having scored against his Udinese side in the 2013-14 season when he was at Juventus.
“He is a very good trainer and I am very happy to be working with him,” said Llorente, who could feature in Swansea’s final pre-season friendly against Rennes on Saturday.
“I know him from my time playing in Italy.
“He is very experienced and has done really well at the clubs he has managed.”
Press Association Sport understands Swansea have paid around £5million to secure Llorente’s services and end their striker search.
Portugal’s Euro 2016 final hero Eder, Alberto Paloschi and Bafetimbi Gomis have all left the club this summer and Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins this week promised “one or two additions”.
Swansea have been heavily linked with Llorente’s fellow Spaniard Borja Baston, the Atletico Madrid striker who spent last season on loan at Eibar.
The 23-year-old Baston scored 18 La Liga goals for a side that finished 14th but is not expected to feature for Diego Simeone’s Atleti this season.
Llorente’s arrival, however, is set to signal the departure of Andre Ayew with West Ham ready to push through a £20million transfer for the Ghanaian forward.
