Andy Oakes

DOB: 11th January 1977
Birthplace: Northwich
Height: 6'1'
Weight: 11st 2lbs
Previous Clubs: Walsall, Bolton and Port Vale (loan), Derby, Hull, Winsford, Macclesfield.

Andy Oakes signed for the Swans on the 1st August after a successful trial at the club.

He joined on a free transfer from Walsall, after turning down a new contract offer from the Saddlers.

Following the release of Brian Murphy in May, Kenny Jackett again needed to search for a new keeper and after failing to bring in target James Brown who joined Blackburn, he then brought in trialists to try and seek competition for Willy Gueret.

Derby paid Hull £460,000 for his services in 1999. He played just 43 games in his 6-year stay with the club and after loan spells at Port Vale and then Bolton, he joined Walsall on a free in March 2005.

He made 26 first team appearances for Walsall last season but he missed 3 months after picking up a ligament injury in his hand.

Gueret is most likely to start the new 06/07 season but hopefully Oakes will provide a quality backup if Willy's performances don't improve from last year.