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DOUBLE DUTCH

Swansea sign Ajax central defender Mike van der Hoorn

And another new signing and Dutch compatriot, Leroy Fer, advised him to make the move to Wales

SWANSEA have completed their second Dutch signing in as many days after Ajax central defender Mike van der Hoorn joined for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old, who arrives the day after Leroy Fer joined the club on a permanent deal from QPR, has signed a three-year contract at the Liberty.

 Ajax central defender Mike van der Hoorn has joined Swansea
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Ajax central defender Mike van der Hoorn has joined SwanseaCredit: PA:Press Association
 Van der Hoorn admitted compatriot Leroy Fer convinced him to make the move to Wales
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Van der Hoorn admitted compatriot Leroy Fer convinced him to make the move to WalesCredit: PA:Press Association

And Van der Hoorn admitted compatriot Fer advised him to make the move to Wales.

Van der Hoorn, who made 43 appearances in his three years with the Amsterdam club, said: "I spoke to (Fer) last Saturday - we have the same birthday - about Swansea.

“He said 'It's a real warm club, a family club, the players will be nice'. (It was a) quick response.

"This is the best competition in the world. I'm happy to be in it and can't wait to start. Maybe (we can win) the FA or Capital One Cup. That would be a nice achievement.

"(Swansea) play really good football for a Premier League club."

Van der Hoorn’s arrival will see him compete with captain Ashley Williams, Federico Fernandez and Jordi Amat to be in head coach Francesco Guidolin’s centre-back pairing.

He revealed he has been impressed with the Williams’ performances for Wales at Euro 2016.

Van der Hoorn said: "I have to improve and be better.

 Swansea and Wales captain Ashley Williams has impressed young Van der Hoorn
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Swansea and Wales captain Ashley Williams has impressed young Van der HoornCredit: Getty Images

"I saw Ashley Williams at the European Championships. He's a really good defender, maybe I can learn from him.”

Van der Hoorn started his career at Utrecht, and won the club's Player of the Year in 2013 before joining Ajax, where he won the Eredivisie title in his first season.

Meanwhile, another of the Welsh club’s central defenders, former Arsenal youngster Kyle Bartley, has joined his former Swans boss Garry Monk on loan at Leeds for the season.

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Former Swans boss Garry Monk has taken defender Kyle Bartley on loan at Leeds

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