Swansea City sign ex-Liverpool teen and star set to miss chunk of season

Staitham Bowen says it was an 'easy decision' to join Swansea City.

The 18-year-old is set to link up with the under-21s squad, having signed a two-year deal with the club.

The centre-back was most recently on the books at Premier League side Brentford, and joins on a free transfer after a successful trial earlier this year.

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"I'm very happy to be here, the coaches are amazing and the boys are a top group, so I'm looking forward to getting down to work this year," said Bowen, who also enjoyed a brief stint in the youth set-up at Liverpool.

"I had a short trial earlier this year. Swansea stood out to me the most, and I had an amazing time during my trial here.

"It was a great experience, and I made the right decision. I can't wait."

Swansea City winger Eom Jisung could miss two games of the new Championship season.

The 24-year-old has been called up to South Korea's squad for the upcoming Asian Games, and will meet up with the squad on September 9.

The tournament is set to run from September 15, and should his side reach the final, Eom will be out of action until October 3.

That would see him miss at least two games of the new season, the visit of promotion-chasing Burnley and the trip to newly-promoted Lincoln City.

Eom recently represented his country at the World Cup this summer, and has been included in this squad, which is primarily for under-23s, as an overage player.

South Korea are bidding to defend the title they won in China four years ago.

Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart says the sale of the Swansea.com Stadium to Swansea City could potentially give the club a better foundation for further development.

The Swans confirmed they had launched a bid to buy the stadium this week in a move they hope will present greater commercial opportunities over the coming years.

Stewart says plans for adding further facilities in and around the site, including new hotels and a fanzone had already been discussed, and suggested this latest move could help ease those potential proposals along.

"It's like when you rent a property or when you own a property," he told the BBC.

"You're more likely to spend money on something if you own it, rather than spending it to enhance it for somebody else.

"So it gives them control. It allows them to come forward with planning applications for things like the fanzone.

"Maybe in future years if they get back to the Premier League they might want to extend capacity. I know we've discussed the options of having hotels near the stadium and we're supportive of those sorts of plans.

"It's for them now to look at what really makes business sense for them. What is it that their supporters and the fans need or expect from a top class football club and a day out coming to the game, because it's not just those 90 minutes.

"It's everything around it on the day. It's how can they make the stadium, as Man United do really successfully with Old Trafford, making it a draw for supporters when matches aren't on."