Swansea sign Scotland striker Stewart
Ross Stewart was nicknamed the 'Loch Ness Drogba' during his time at Sunderland
- Published
Swansea City have signed free agent Ross Stewart following the Scotland striker's departure from Southampton.
Stewart has penned a three-year deal at the Swansea.com Stadium having left the Saints in June after failing to agree a new contract.
The 30-year-old's arrival may be viewed as a move which casts further doubt over Zan Vipotnik's Swansea future, with the Slovenia international expected to attract interest in this transfer window after finishing last season as the Championship's top scorer.
Stewart - part of Scotland's squad at this summer's World Cup - has scored goals in the Championship for both Southampton and Sunderland and is seen as "an experienced and proven performer" at this level by Vitor Matos.
"In our conversations he has made clear his hunger and desire to be an important senior figure and leader in our dressing room," said the Swansea head coach.
"His goalscoring record shows he is someone who relishes responsibility and we look forward to getting down to work with him and settling him into the group."
Stewart scored 11 times in 33 games for Southampton last season, his best at St Mary's Stadium after injury issues restricted him to only 17 appearances across the previous two campaigns.
He has played four times for Scotland, including a substitute appearance against Morocco at this summer's World Cup.
Swansea have sold Liam Cullen to Leicester City this summer and could also allow Bobby Wales to depart on loan, meaning Stewart joins Vipotnik and Adam Idah as the forward options in Matos' squad.
Stewart missed a hefty chunk of the 2025-26 season because of a hamstring injury but was still productive when available, managing nine goals and two assists in his 27 league appearances.
He also scored two goals in Southampton's run to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, including the opener in their quarter-final victory over Arsenal.
Stewart had stints with Ardeer Thistle and Kilwinning Rangers as a youngster before joining Albion Rovers in 2016.
The Irvine-born player then played for St Mirren, Alloa Athletic and Ross County - where he won the 2018-19 Scottish Championship and Scottish Challenge Cup - before joining Sunderland in 2021.
Stewart was prolific with the Black Cats, scoring 40 goals in 81 appearances to help the club win the EFL Trophy in 2021 and gain promotion to the Championship a year later.
His form at the Stadium of Light earned him a move to Southampton in 2023, where he scored a total of 12 goals in 50 appearances.
"We are delighted that Ross has joined Swansea City, he brings a wealth of experience on and off the pitch," said the Welsh club's sporting director Ben Stevens.
"His performances last season in the Championship were a standout, and it earned him a deserved place in Scotland's World Cup squad. We are very excited to see Ross in a Swansea shirt."
Stewart becomes Swansea's sixth permanent signing of the summer after Moussa Yeo, Elijah Just, Joseph Opoku, Stephen Welsh and Leo Walta, who had been on loan last season.
They have also signed Benfica left-back Tiago Parente on loan.
Valencia's Andre Almeida and another midfielder, Ousseynou Fall Seck of Danish side Randers, are also on the Swans' list of targets.
