Swansea City A.F.C. have completed the signing of former Arsenal left-back Jernade Meade on a one-year deal, Sky Sports understands.
Meade, 20, was a free agent this summer after being released by Arsenal at the end of last season.
The 20-year-old will look to impress the Swans’ Under-21 boss Kristian O’Leary before getting a first-team opportunity under Michael Laudrup.
Meade replaces Dwight Tiendalli, who will not return to Swansea City after failing to agree fresh terms earlier this summer, as cover for Ben Davies and Neil Taylor at the Liberty Stadium.
The Ex-Gunners starlet feels that his experience at Arsenal will facilitate his transition from North London to Wales.
“I’ve been at Arsenal since I was 11, so to come to Swansea was the perfect move for me in terms of style,” Meade told the Swans’ official website, www.swanseacity.net.
“Swansea are a growing club and they’ve come from League Two by passing their way out of the divisions.
“I think everyone has been very impressed by what they have achieved in the Premier League, and it’s great to be a part of the club.
“My aim is to start impressing in the U21 team and hopefully give Michael Laudrup another option at left-back for the first team. He was a great player, and the chance to learn from him is a massive opportunity for me.
“And he is not afraid to give youngsters a chance to prove themselves either. You only have to look at what Ben Davies achieved last season to realise that.”
Meade, who can also play on the left wing, made two first-team appearances for Arsenal last season., including a start against Greek Superleague giants Olympiacos F.C. in the UEFA Champions League.
The Englishman will have plenty of opportunities to impress Michael Laudrup next term, especially if the Swans are able to reach the latter stages of the UEFA Europa League.
Verratti committed to PSG
According to Sky Sports, Italy international midfielder Marco Verratti has revealed a host of clubs are racing for his signature, but insists he is fully committed to his current employers, Paris Saint-Germain F.C., for the time being.
Verratti, 20, joined PSG on a five-year deal from his hometown club Delfino Pescara 1936 last summer.
However, the 20-year-old heir apparent to Andrea Pirlo has been linked with a summer exit from the Parc des Princes amid reported interest from Juventus, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
“A few clubs want me,” Verratti told Il Centro.
“But it’s not only up to me; it’s also up to the club. I believe in PSG’s plan and next year I want to play at the World Cup.
“In Paris I’m a regular player, so it’s ideal.
“One day I’ll surely come back to play in Italy but I don’t know if that will be in a few weeks or in a few years. PSG is the present.”
Verratti, who made 39 appearances in all competitions for PSG in 2012/13, had a pass success percentage of nearly 90 percent last season; he is a pass-master in every sense of the word.
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