Ferrie Across The Tawe

Bodde, 25 last month, has spent the last four seasons playing in the Dutch top flight, but was keen to move on following Den Haag's relegation in the spring. And Martinez beat off competition from the likes of Aberdeen, FC Zurich and Dutch Eredivisie new-boys VVV-Venlo to secure the highly-rated playmaker. "Ferrie is a very hungry player, a very impressive character and a winner," said Martinez. "In Holland, they call him the Dutch Roy Keane and I know he attracted a lot of interest when he was younger. AZ Alkmaar offered him a five-year deal when he was 21 or 22. "He is a player with a fantastic pedigree who wanted to leave Den Haag after their relegation and wants to play in the Premiership over here. "To do that he has decided to come here and try to be successful with us. "Ideally, he will go on to play in the Premiership with Swansea. If not, if he does well enough to earn a move to the Premiership that's his dream achieved and he will have helped us along the way." "To sign a player with his experience at his age is exciting for us," he added. "At 25 he is at the best moment of his career and he has already made well over 100 appearances in a very competitive league in Holland. "He is a very aware player tactically. He can bring us a lot on a massive pitch like we have at the Liberty Stadium. "He plays in front of the back four. He is very clever off the ball, where he helps other players, and he also starts things off well when he's on the ball. He brings other players into the game." Bodde, who wrapped up his move after passing a medical yesterday afternoon, attempted to play down comparisons to Manchester United great Keane. "It is a compliment and I do like his style," Swansea's third summer recruit said. "But I don't want to be described as Roy Keane because he was a very big player. "I like to pass the ball and play football the way it is meant to be played, but I also like to battle and I'd like to think I play for the team not just myself." Martinez laughed off suggestions that Bodde would provide similar qualities to those he brought during his playing days. He said: "Ferrie is very different from me, but he is a playmaker

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