Joel Ward: Swansea City in talks with veteran defender

Swansea City say they are in talks over Joel Ward's future with the veteran defender's contract set to expire next month.

Ward, 36, joined Swansea on a short-term deal in January to provide Vitor Matos with an additional option at right-back and in central defence.

The former Crystal Palace captain has made 16 appearances for the Championship club, though only three of those were league starts.

With the deadline approaching for end-of-season retained lists to be issued, Swansea have announced that they "remain in discussions" with Ward and young goalkeeper Kit Margetson, who is also out of contract this summer.

Swansea have handed winger Aimar Govea a new deal which runs until December.

The 19-year-old, who made five senior appearances for the Welsh club in 2023-24, returned early from a loan spell at Girona in January after injury issues.

Forward Josh Thomas, who played one senior Swans game in August 2024, has been released alongside fellow youngsters Evan Anderson, Mitchell Bates, Callum Deacon, Isaac Dudding, Wahab Ojetoro, Ben Phillips and Brogan Popham.

Swansea say academy players Caleb Demery, Billy Clarke, Caio Ifans, Callum Jones, Milo Robinson, Jacob Cook and Thomas Searle have either been offered new contracts or had options over 12-month extensions taken up by the club.

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