Former Manchester United midfielder likened to Barcelona legends Iniesta and Xavi set for Championship move

Former Manchester United midfielder Ethan Galbraith is set to secure a move to Championship side Swansea City in the summer transfer window.

The 24-year-old excelled at Leyton Orient last season and has been the subject of strong transfer interest from a host of clubs since the end of the campaign. Galbraith netted six goals and notched eight assists across all competitions as his side reached the play-off final and the FA Cup fourth round.

It is understood the South Wales club have agreed a fee in the region of £1.6 million for the central midfielder, who is believed to relish the opportunity of playing in the Championship. Galbraith is set to sign a four-year deal at Swansea and will hope the higher-profile move will give him a greater chance of representing Northern Ireland regularly.

He plays like a Barcelona legend

Ethan Galbraith spent six years with Manchester United and made a senior appearance in the Europa League defeat to Astana back in November 2019. He gained valuable experience on loan at both Doncaster Rovers and Salford City before he joined Orient permanently in the summer of 2023.

During his time at Old Trafford, he received a rave review from former Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough, who described him as their very own Andres Iniesta or Xavi. “Ethan, over the last six months we’ve seen a maturity in his play and the way he goes about his work day to day," Baraclough said of the youngster.

"He’s excelled with the under-21s and he’s a different type of player to anyone we’ve got in the senior squad. Not to put too much pressure on his shoulders, but he’s our little (Andres) Iniesta or Xavi, someone who can get on the ball and manipulate the ball and find positive passes.

"Hopefully it’s the start of a long career for him. Hopefully he relishes his time from the start in this squad, rather than coming in from the under-21 squad. He has earned his right with the way he has gone about his play for the last six months."

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