Swansea City head coach Alan Sheehan insists his club have bought untapped potential but also experience following the capture of striker Bobby Wales.
The 19-year-old will join from Kilmarnock on a four-year deal from 1 June, subject to international clearance.
Wales has already progressed through the academy ranks and made a name for himself in Scotland’s top tiers.
The Swans agreed a compensation package with the Rugby Park side for the teenager’s services, as his contract with Killie was due to expire this summer.
Despite his age, Wales brings a wealth of first-team experience. He has made 69 senior appearances across spells at Kilmarnock and Alloa, scoring 17 goals.
“It is very pleasing to bring another talented attacking player into our squad," Sheehan said.
"Bobby is a young player, but has experience in the senior game with Kilmarnock and Alloa and provides us with further competition in the final third of the pitch.
"We look forward to working with him, developing him further in his all-round game, and hopefully helping him fulfil his potential.”
The Swans boss is reshaping his squad for the 2025-26 campaign and has now secured three summer signings ahead of pre-season: Sweden Under-21 duo Melker Widell and Zeidane Inoussa, and now Wales.
Wales made 33 appearances for Kilmarnock during the 2024-25 season, netting five goals.
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He also featured in their recent 1-0 win over Dundee but remained on the bench during a midweek defeat at Motherwell.
The forward previously impressed on loan at Alloa, where he struck 12 times in 24 outings in the Scottish third tier.
A Scotland youth international, Wales joined Kilmarnock in 2015 and signed professional terms in 2021.
He was later honoured as their academy rising star in 2023 following a prolific spell with their development teams.
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes, who is himself expected to depart this summer for Hearts, admitted earlier in the season that he would be "devastated" if the club lost Wales.
Swansea’s director of football Richard Montague sees the signing as a long-term investment.
“Bobby is a talented young player, and one who boasts plenty of experience of senior football," Montague said.
"We believe he has the potential to develop into an important player for Swansea City, and the personal accolades he has received in recent years underline how highly thought of he is.
"We look forward to welcoming him to Swansea at the start of pre-season, and are very happy to have been able to move decisively to secure another acquisition so far in advance of the new campaign.”
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Adam Worth, the club’s global head of analytics and recruitment, also praised the forward’s profile and potential fit within Sheehan’s tactical setup.
“Bobby is a player we have identified as possessing attributes that can be an asset to the team as we move forward.
"His work-rate and ability to offer a focal point in the final third will provide Alan Sheehan with further competition in attacking areas, and his age means we are confident he will continue to improve as he adapts to life in the Championship.
"He is a bright young talent, and one we are very happy to be bringing to Swansea City for this next stage of his career.”
Wales is expected to link up with the Swans at the start of pre-season training and will be vying for a spot in Sheehan’s front line as the club looks to mount a stronger campaign in the Championship next term.
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