All Whites star Eli Just signs for Swansea City in $13.8m move

All Whites World Cup star Elijah Just will be moving to the English Championship in a reported multi-million-dollar deal.

Welsh club Swansea City confirmed the widely speculated move in a statement this morning, announcing the winger had signed a three-year deal. Just will also have the option to extend for an additional 12 months. His transfer fee was reported to be around £6 million (NZ$13.8 million) by British media.

The 26-year-old, who was a standout for Motherwell FC in the Scottish Premiership last season, will wear the number eight jersey.

In an Instagram message to Motherwell FC, Just said "it's hard to put into words how much this club means to me".

Swansea play in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football and a step below the Premier League. They finished 11th in last season's standings.

Like many professional teams in Wales, Swansea plays in England's leagues and has spent time in the Premier League.

American rapper Snoop Dogg, Croatian football legend Luka Modrić and US lifestyle personality Martha Stewart are all minority owners of the club.

Just said about the move: “I can’t wait, it’s something I’ve wanted to do in my whole career.

“I’ve watched a lot of Championship games, and it’s a tough league. I’m looking forward to playing many games, I think it’ll suit me well.

“I’m looking forward to being out there with the boys, contributing and hopefully we can do something special.”

Head coach Vitor Matos said the club was "very excited" to bring Just in.

"He can play in more than one position, and his versatility will be a great fit in the side.

"Elijah joins us after performing well in all aspects of our recruitment process, and after a brilliant performance at the World Cup, and we are very happy to have him with us.”

Just will link up with fellow All White Marko Stamenić, who was a standout player for Swansea last season, scoring three goals and assisting two across 36 appearances.

“I’m lucky to have Marko here. We’ve obviously spoken on the phone a lot, and he’s told me a lot about the club and the playing style," Just said.

Just joins a growing contingent of Kiwis in the Championship, with defender Liberato Cacace playing for Wrexham and goalkeeper Max Crocombe at Millwall. Defender Tyler Bindon also spent a year on loan with Sheffield United in the league.

Both Just and Stamenić were lauded for their performances in the recent FIFA World Cup. Just netted three goals, two against Iran and one against Belgium, to become the highest scoring Kiwi in tournament history.

Just's spectacular volley that opened the scoring against Iran has been nominated by FIFA for best goal of the tournament.

“He had a phenomenal World Cup with New Zealand where he really introduced himself onto the world footballing stage after a standout season with Motherwell," Swansea sporting director Ben Stevens said.

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