Swansea City are close to finalising a deal to make Celtic's Darren O'Dea their new assistant boss to head coach Alan Sheehan.

In March, Sheehan added former team-mates Richard Stearman and Mark Fotheringham to his backroom team on short-term deals.

But after being appointed Swansea's head coach on a permanent basis, Sheehan said further changes to his staff were likely during the close season.

He has been targeting his fellow Irishman O'Dea since taking over as Swansea's interim head coach in February.

The 38-year-old is currently on Celtic's staff under former Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers.

As a player, O'Dea represented the likes of Celtic, Reading, Leeds United, Blackpool and Dundee as well as having spells in Canada, Ukraine and India.

Dublin-born O'Dea won 20 caps for the Republic of Ireland having played international youth football in the same sides as Sheehan, who is also 38.

O'Dea began his coaching career at Motherwell before returning to Celtic in 2019.

He was initially under-18s boss before stepping up to take charge of Celtic B in 2021, and became player pathway manager in 2024.