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Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland star backed to kick on at Championship club after marking his home debut with stunning strike
Galbraith stepped up to the Championship when he joined the Swans over the summer from Leyton Orient, who were defeated 1-0 by Charlton Athletic in the League One Play-Off Final. Although the Welsh outfit lost their 2025/26 League opener 1-0 away to Middlesbrough, with Galbraith playing 63 minutes at the Riverside Stadium, it was a happier tale for the former Manchester United Academy player at home against Crawley Town in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. With Brazilian winger Ronald and Bobby Wales having already hit the net in the First Round tie, Galbraith struck a long-range piledriver in second-half stoppage-time that picked out the bottom left corner and ensured Swansea's progression with a 3-1 victory over their League Two opponents. Sheehan believes 24-year-old Glengormley native Galbraith's display at the Stadium could be a sign of things to come. 'He is a player we are integrating,' he said. 'He has good technical ability. We just need to get that level of consistency and he can be a very good player for us.' Former Linfield youth player Galbraith will look to pick up his first League win with his new side when Swansea entertain Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon. Making his Northern Ireland debut as a teenager in 2019, he has seven senior caps to his name having risen to particular prominence under Michael O'Neill over the past year. Swans boss Sheehan added: 'It's important to win, no matter what competition it is. 'Obviously, the League is the most important thing. We would have liked a point (at Middlesbrough), I think it was a 0-0 game. 'I think it was really good response by the players.'
Belfast Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland star hailed as ‘hungry and motivated' after sealing switch to Championship club
Northern Ireland star Ethan Galbraith has completed his move to Championship club Swansea from Leyton Orient with the Welsh club's manager Alan Sheenan hailing the new signing's 'terrific technical ability, hunger and motivation'. The initial fee is £1.6m which will rise to £2million with appearances with Galbraith signing a three-year deal which includes the option of an additional 12 months. The highly rated 24-year-old has been a long-time target for the Welsh outfit who initially attempted to sign him in January. With Leyton Orient losing in the League One Play-Off Final to Charlton in May and the midfielder having just 12 months left on his contract, he was always likely to transfer in the summer. After talks with the player and his agent Lee Mudd, Swansea have got their man as the Belfast Telegraph reported earlier this week. Galbraith shone in the 2024/25 season for Leyton Orient and will now look to kick on with Swansea, who are managed by Sheehan and would love to be in the promotion mix in the coming campaign. The former Manchester United player has become an important member of the Northern Ireland squad over the past year and will be key for boss Michael O'Neill during the forthcoming World Cup qualifying campaign. The opening match is in September away to Luxembourg where the Belfast man excelled in 2024 in his first start for his country in a 2-2 draw in the Nations League. By then, Galbraith will aim to have featured in the Championship with his new club. In a statement to announce their capture, Swansea said they had 'beaten off competition from a number of clubs for the services of the Northern Ireland international', adding that Galbraith had been on their 'radar for a number of months'. 'We are delighted to have secured Ethan's services and added him to the squad early into our pre-season preparations,' Swansea head coach Sheehan told the club website. 'He has terrific technical ability which I am sure Swansea fans will appreciate and enjoy when they get to see him in action. 'Ethan is hungry and motivated for the challenge of stepping up to the Championship. He is excited to be joining Swansea City and we are looking forward to integrating him into the squad over the coming weeks.' Director of Football Richard Montague added: 'Swansea has a history of intelligent, technical players making their mark, and we believe Ethan has the ability and potential to develop into the latest of those. 'He joins us after an excellent spell with Leyton Orient, and the calibre of clubs who were interested in him underlines the quality he possesses. 'When Alan and I spoke to him, he made clear how much he wanted to be part of the club and the project here, and we are particularly pleased he will have time to settle into his new surroundings before the new season kicks off.' Global Head of Analysis and recruitment Adam Worth said: 'Ethan is a player our recruitment and scouting teams have followed keenly for a considerable amount of time, and it is great to see everyone's hard work come to fruition as he becomes a Swansea City player. 'We believe Ethan has qualities that make him an excellent fit for Swansea, and he is a player who is determined to work hard to make his mark in the Championship. 'We look forward to him integrating into our squad as we build towards the start of the new campaign.'
Belfast Telegraph
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Leyton Orient reject Huddersfield's bid for in-demand Northern Ireland midfielder Ethan Galbraith
The Northern Ireland star, who has won seven caps, is a man on several clubs' wish lists. League One outfit Huddersfield have stepped up efforts to recruit the midfielder with a £1.5million bid. It's understood the bid for the former Manchester United youngster has been knocked back by Orient. Galbraith enjoyed an outstanding 2024/25 campaign with the O's, helping the club reach the League One Play-Off Final, where they were defeated by Charlton Athletic. Charlton and Swansea City have also had offers rejected, while Sheffield United are admirers of the 24-year-old. Orient boss Richie Wellens believes Galbraith has the ability to play in the English top flight. Huddersfield have Galbraith's international team-mates Brodie Spencer and Dion Charles on their books. The former Linfield man scored six goals and provided a further seven assists across 42 League appearances for Wellens' side. Galbraith's ability to play in midfield and at right back has brought him to the attention of a number of clubs. He spent time on loan with Doncaster Rovers in the 2021/22 season, linking up with O's boss Wellens for the first time and making 33 appearances for Donny. And he played a key role for Salford City during the 2022/23 campaign, playing 38 times in all competitions, scoring four goals as The Ammies finished in seventh place in League Two. 'He is a Premier League player in the making and younger players who watch him can see how strong he is in his running,' said Wellens last season. 'He's unbelievable and he's brilliant. 'We've got loads of young players that should be watching him and going 'he's intense there, he's always running, he's always at it'.'
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
How the tension and jeopardy of EFL Promotion Play-Offs provide the blueprint for a much-needed rejig closer to home
It was a weekend of mixed emotions under the Wembley arches for Northern Ireland internationals. While Dan Ballard and Trai Hume celebrated promotion to the Premier League with Sunderland on Saturday, there was heartache for Jamie Donley and Ethan Galbraith on Sunday as Leyton Orient slipped to defeat in the League One Play-Off Final.
