Coventry City transfer news from CoventryLive as the Sky Blues sign former Swansea defender Joel Latibeaudiere

Coventry City have completed the signing of free agent defender Joel Latibeaudiere who ran down his contract at Swansea this summer.

The Sky Blues have agreed a compensation fee under the Bosman ruling for the 23-year-old Jamaica international centre-back, who has signed four-year deal at the CBS Arena. Latibeaudiere was a free agent after leaving fellow Championship club Swansea City at the end of his contract this summer.

The Jamaica international has now secured a move to Coventry. He will not feature in tonight’s pre-season friendly at Forest Green Rovers due to resting after his part in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The defender had previously been linked with a move to newly-promoted Premier League side Luton Town, but the Sky Blues’ interest was revealed last week and they have got their man.

Manager Mark Robins said: “We are very pleased to welcome Joel to Coventry City. Joel is a composed, ball-playing centre-half, who has experience of playing in the Championship and also internationally. He’s a versatile defender who fits in with our style of play and is an important signing for us, and we look forward to working with him.”

Latibeaudiere is a right-sided centre-back by trade but was used as a wing-back by Swansea at times last season. He had been with the Welsh outfit since 2020, signed by former manager Steve Cooper on a three year deal after the current Nottingham Forest boss had worked with the player in the England youth set-up – the defender helping the Under-17s win the World Cup in 2017.

Latibeaudiere has since pledged his international allegiance to Jamaica and represented them at the CONCACAF Gold Cup last month. A composed, ball-playing defender, he was part of Manchester City’s youth set-up, making 28 appearances for City’s under-21s and 27 appearances for the under-18s during his four years as part of the Etihad academy.

He made 37 appearances for Swansea across all competitions last term, scoring two goals and providing three assists. He was offered a new contract but opted to move on as a free agent.

Latibeaudiere gives Mark Robins a much-needed addition to his defensive ranks. Coventry have also been targeting Burnley’s Luke McNally, either on a permanent deal or season-long loan, though he is also reported to be wanted by Millwall.

Latibeaudiere becomes the Sky Blues’ fifth signing of the summer so far, following the arrivals of Jay Dasilva, Ellis Simms, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Brad Collins.