Sheffield Wednesday have confirmed their first addition of the Arise era, subject to formalities.

Sheffield Wednesday have agreed a deal to bring experienced defender Ricardo Santos to the club as the first addition of their summer rebuild, The Star understands, with the Cape Verde international set to complete for an undisclosed fee from Championship side Swansea City.

The six-foot-five centre-half is been a player that has been on Wednesday’s radar previously and arrives after a difficult campaign in South Wales to bolster the Owls defence. He has played 194 times at League One level and counts Peterborough United, Barnet and Bolton Wanderers among his other former clubs. The Star understands Santos has agreed a one-year contract with Wednesday, with the club holding the option of a further year’s extension to his deal.

Portuguese-born Santos is naturalised in the UK and does not require a GBE permit or ESC squad slot. It’s understood that as per agreements made with the EFL, the full and final registration of incoming deals are subject to the payment of creditors as the club continues to finalise its formal exit from administration. This is said to be a formality as those payments are to be made by the turn of the month, before Santos’ contract with the Swans comes to an end.

Wednesday are in the early stages of a monster squad rebuild in which they could require as many as 20 new players, with contracts still to be agreed with existing senior men. Santos arrives as the first addition to a rebuild that sporting director Simon Wilson has said requires a blend of youth and experience as the cub looks to move forward with a more sustainable model.

Ahead of the full ratification of Santos’ deal, the heart of Wednesday’s defence has Di’Shon Bernard in its stable, with long-serving former player of the year Dominic Iorfa leaving at the end of his current contract. Discussions with Liam Cooper are ongoing.