CHARD footballer Ben Hamer has a new club, having joined Swansea City from fellow Championship side Huddersfield Town.

Hamer, 33, attended Holyrood Academy, before going on to play for Reading, Charlton Athletic and Leicester City (where he featured in a Champions League match away to FC Porto), as well as a host of clubs on loan, including Bristol City and Exeter City - giving him more than 350 senior appearances across his career.

The goalkeeper joined Huddersfield in 2018 and made 17 appearances for them during the current season, but 21-year-old Ryan Schofield had broken into the team and reduced Hamer's playing time.

He is expected to act as back-up to Freddie Woodman after Swansea lost Steven Benda to a long-term ankle injury, having joined on an 18-month contract for an undisclosed fee.

The Swans had shown interest in Hamer last summer, and he is reunited with Andy Scott, who was Brentford manager when the on-loan keeper helped them win the League Two title in 2009 and is now Swansea's head of recruitment.

Hamer told the Swansea website: "I spoke with Steve [Cooper], Martyn [Margetson] and Andy [Scott].

"I know Andy from my time at Brentford and we had conversations around whether I wanted to come.

"I could only see a club going in the right direction. It was a no-brainer for me.

"I got on well with Andy; he was brilliant for me at Brentford, and gave me my first real chance in league football as a young goalkeeper.

"He has now transitioned into a different side of the game but we have kept in contact and it was nice to catch up with him while we were sorting this out.

"I am really pleased to get the move done.

"I was in a situation where I was out of contract in the summer, the opportunity has come up and I just felt that Swansea is a very, very good football club."

Hamer added: "There were some conversations in the summer, but at that time it felt like it made more sense to stay at Huddersfield.

"But I am glad we have got it done this window and I am really looking forward to getting down to work.

"I know I will have to be patient as I know how well Freddie [Woodman] has been playing.

"But I will always work hard and try and be a positive influence in the dressing room, which I think is something I have always managed to be at my previous clubs."