He was a Sheffield Wednesday target, now Swansea City man is missing after ‘shocking’ pre-season injury

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Sheffield Wednesday welcome Swansea City to Hillsborough on Saturday, and the visitors will be without one of the Owls’ former targets.

Wednesday have had an unexpectedly reasonable start to the campaign given the ongoing issues caused by owner Dejphon Chansiri. Henrik Pedersen’s side drew 2-2 with Wrexham on Saturday, with the home fans showing solidarity with the away supporters’ demonstrations off the field before the Owls’ unexpected comeback after going 2-0 down.

Wednesday are currently out of the Championship relegation zone after picking up a point at the Racecourse. That’s despite the South Yorkshire club being unable to spend transfer fees until the end of the winter 2027 January window.

Before they were placed under embargo, the Owls were linked with a stand-out League One defender who had just become a free agent. However, it was this weekend’s visitors that snapped him up in the end. He is yet to make his Swans debut, though.

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Former Sheffield Wednesday target Ricardo Santos signed for Swansea this summer

Ricardo Santos was out of contract at Bolton Wanderers at the end of last season. He had made 207 appearances and scored six goals in all competitions for them, being named in the EFL team of the year for four of the last five campaigns.

Despite missing a chunk of last season due to injury, the towering centre-back had plenty of suitors this summer, including Wednesday who had eyed him up previously.

The former Trotters captain will have been a perfect fit given the Owls will have been in the market for a centre-back before their issues emerged, and there were reports of them being interested following his release from Bolton.

However, it was Swansea that captured his signature in the end, announcing the agreement to sign him in early June. His two-year contract came into effect on July 1.

Swans boss Alan Sheehan said at the time: “We are very pleased to welcome Ricardo to Swansea City. He is an experienced player who is well-versed in the demands of playing in the EFL. He is a player I have known about for a long time, and someone we believe is capable of making the step up to Championship level.

“There were a number of clubs interested in securing his services, and we are delighted he has chosen Swansea City.”

However, Santos is yet to make his competitive debut for his new club.

Swansea City’s Ricardo Santos ruled out with knee injury suffered in pre-season

The 30-year-old has been unable to play for Swans since arriving in South Wales due to a knee injury he picked up in pre-season.

He landed awkwardly in a 2-1 pre-season defeat to Cheltenham Town at the end of July and has been absent since.

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“Anyone who was at the Cheltenham game will know about Ricardo,” Sheehan said he confirmed his defender would miss the start of the new season.

“He had a shocking landing, and he will be out for a while now as he hyperextended his leg.”

Santos is expected to be back available by the end of September.

Captain Ben Cabango has returned after being sidelined and has been playing at centre-half for the Swans alongside Cameron Burgess.

Harry Darling started in the opening 1-1 draw with rivals Cardiff, but has since signed for Norwich City.