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18:26 GMT, Friday, 24 October 2008 19:26 UK

Swans seal Konstantopoulos deal

Dimitrios Konstantopoulos

Swansea City have completed the loan signing of Coventry City goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos.

The Championship club have sign the ex-Greece Under-21 international on a one month loan deal in time for Saturday's home clash with Southampton.

"We are delighted to welcome Dimi," said Swansea boss Roberto Martinez.

Swans keeper Dorus de Vries is out after suffering a broken jaw in midweek and teenage Polish stopper Artur Krysiak is also standing by for action.

Konstantopoulos agreed to sign on Friday and the Football League paperwork was processed on Saturday morning, hours before their Liberty Stadium showdown.

Martinez said: "Dimi has been part of the British game for a number of years and at 29 is in the best stage of his career.

"He is hungry for success and is determined to achieve his goal of playing for the Greek national senior side."

606: DEBATE
"It is only a matter of time before our goalscorers start regularly finding their feet and making the most of their chances and I get the feeling that the saints on saturday will be the unlucky team"
bakaryu

Konstantopoulos will battle for Swansea's number one jersey with 19-year-old Krysiak, who is a loan signing from Birmingham City.

"It's a great opportunity for me," said Konstantopoulos.

"I've been out injured for a spell but now I'm back fully fit and looking forward to challenging for a first-team place.

"It's also a chance to help Swansea out of their recent predicament."

Konstantopoulos signed for Coventry on a free from Hartlepool Town in the summer of 2007 after playing a key role in their promotion to League One.

Konstantopoulos's goalkeeping rival at the Liberty Stadium is Krysiak who admits he is nervous about possibility making his Swans debut against Southampton.

"I am really nervous," said Martinez. "It is a really big challenge and a really big game."

Krysiak was brought in on loan from Birmingham last month to provide cover for Dutchman de Vries who was the only keeper at the club.

He has not long returned from injury himself after dislocating a finger while on loan at York City in August.

But was not on the bench on Tuesday which meant defender had to take de Vries' place when he was stretchered off.

"I know I'm here to be at training and warm-ups, but I knew one day I would get the chance," said the Poland Under-19 international.

"Nerves are normal if you are a 19-year-old and I have to just go for it, do what I have to do and keep a clean sheet.

"It will be a good experience for me."

Swansea welcome a Southampton side who are 21st in the Championship.

The Saints have enjoyed a better time on the road, but Swans captain Garry Monk promises no favours for his former club.

"We wanted to win on Tuesday, but somehow we didn't," said Monk.

"So it's vitally important that we get the three points on Saturday with two away games in mind.

"I have great memories of being at Southampton, but all sentimental things aside, I want to win the game."



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Related to this story:

Swansea v Southampton (23 Oct 08 |  Championship )
Swans seek de Vries replacement (23 Oct 08 |  Swansea )
Swans sign keeper from Birmingham (23 Sep 08 |  Swansea )
BBC Sport Wales coverage (23 Mar 08 |  Wales )

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