Ethan Galbraith: Swansea midfielder set to join Stoke City for eight-figure fee

Ethan Galbraith is set to leave Swansea City for Stoke City after the Welsh club accepted an eight-figure bid for the Northern Ireland international midfielder.

Galbraith is due to have a medical at the Potteries on Tuesday after Swansea agreed to give the 25-year-old time off after just one year at the club.

Galbraith, who can also play at right-back, joined Swansea from Leyton Orient for £1.5m.

The Swans were keen to hand Galbraith a new long-term deal this summer, but the former Manchester United youngster is set to move on instead.

Swansea sources say it has been made clear Galbraith was not ready to sign a new contract.

Galbraith’s current Swansea deal runs until 2028, with the club having the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

But Swansea decided to approve Galbraith’s departure rather than force him to stay.

The news comes as a big blow to head coach Vitor Matos because of Galbraith’s contributions last season.

He would depart with four goals in 44 Swansea appearances, many of which came in his less advantageous position on the right side of defence.

In April, Matos said he expected Galbraith to stay at Swansea for a decade and described him as a “really important player”.