By David Williams
Luke Williams insists new signing Lewis O’Brien can help fill the Matt Grimes-sized hole in Swansea City’s midfield.
Swans head coach Williams had talked enthusiastically about bringing in a raft of players at the start of the January transfer window.
But in the end it was a familiar story of losses outweighing gains for the Swans who made just one deadline day signing – a loan deal for O’Brien from Nottingham Forest.
Five players were let go by the club, who have lost their last five matches, including skipper Grimes, but apart from O’Brien, only one more deal – the loan capture of Hannes Delcroix from Burnley – was completed in the window.
The Life of O’Brien pic.twitter.com/7uPmWrKToX
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) February 3, 2025
O’Brien, 26, featured in 12 matches for Los Angeles FC during the latter part of the 2024 Major League Soccer campaign.
His arrival comes as a significant boost for Swansea, who lost influential captain Grimes to Coventry City, while Azeem Abdulai completed a permanent switch to Leyton Orient.
“We are excited to welcome Lewis to Swansea City,” said Swans boss Williams.
“His versatility and experience will undoubtedly strengthen our midfield, and his skill set will be invaluable to us for the rest of the season. He will make a big impact on the pitch.”
O’Brien, who has amassed close to 150 Championship appearances with Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough, also brings top-flight experience from his time at Nottingham Forest, as well as stints in MLS with DC United and LA FC.
“I am really excited to be here,” he said.
“It was a chance for me to come back to the Championship, I spoke with the gaffer and he outlined the way the team plays, and also spoke about wanting a player who is ready to fight.
“I have played in a number of different competitions and leagues, and I feel I have taken a bit from all those experiences. I hope the fans will be able to see that when I start playing.
“It’s a tough league so you need that fight and aggression to be able to compete. I feel like my energy levels are a big part of my game, I can play 90 minutes at the same level of intensity and I think that helps, especially in the latter stages of games.”
That’s the end of the winter transfer window, and clearly lessons haven’t been learned from under the previous regime at Swansea City.
The hierarchy at this football club knew how important this transfer window was to our season, and this is what we were dealt with…
We lost… pic.twitter.com/pO0Q86oRlK
— Jordan (@JordanWebber96) February 3, 2025
O’Brien is expected to make his debut in Swansea’s upcoming fixture against Bristol City, followed by his home bow versus Sheffield Wednesday.
“I have some memories of playing against Swansea. I can remember one game against Swansea in particular where we were 2-0 down in no time at all, but the one that stands out would be that game where I scored for Huddersfield!” he said with a smile.
“I do know what a hostile atmosphere it can be here, the fans really get behind the team and I cannot wait to play in front of them.
“I hope this can be a positive time for myself and for the club. I hope I can push Swansea into a good position in the league. Like I say, I cannot wait to get going.”
