FOOTBALL – Coventry City agree compensation package to sign Joel Latibeaudiere

COVENTRY City have confirmed the signing of Jamaica international Joel Latibeaudiere after agreeing a compensation package with Swansea City.

The 23-year-old has signed a four-year deal with the Sky Blues after spending the last three seasons in the Championship with Swansea City where he scored three goals in 79 appearances.

Latibeaudiere has won six senior caps for Jamaica after lifting the under-17 FIFA World Cup with England in 2017, playing the full game against Spain in the final.

Latibeaudiere said: “I have had my introduction to the Championship, now I feel like I can really kick on and help Coventry to get to where I believe they should be, which is the Premier League.

“That is what I am here to do and that is what I will try to bring to the squad.

“It’s a huge city, with a big fan base, and I am excited to be here. This is a big step for me and I want to get better as the season goes on.

“It’s a huge club, that means so much to the local community. I saw a whole half of Wembley Stadium covered in Sky Blue during the play-off final and that was amazing to see.

“When I first spoke to the gaffer, we had a good meeting.

“He was so excited for the new season, especially coming off the back of last season and his entire way of playing football, the playing style impressed me.

“The fans can expect positive play, getting on the ball. They can expect to see me playing a part in building up play. I also love a big tackle, and going to win the ball.

“I consider myself a leader. I have been one from youth level and it’s a role I’ve naturally fallen into.

“I wore the armband at Swansea, which was the first time in my senior career I had done so. That was a good experience, hopefully I can bring that here now.”

The defender came through the youth ranks at Manchester City and spent a brief spell on loan at FC Twente in the Eredivisie in 2019/20.

He was an unused substitute as Swansea lost to Brentford in the 2020/21 Championship play-off final and left the Swans following the conclusion of the 2022/23 campaign.

Latibeaudiere has just returned from the United States of America after helping Jamaica reach the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.