Vitor Matos says Ross Stewart has not been signed as a replacement for Zan Vipotnik and believes Swansea City can operate with three senior strikers in their squad in 2026-27.

Swansea have landed a proven Championship performer after signing Scotland international Stewart on a three-year deal.

The former Southampton player joins Vipotnik – last season’s second-tier top scorer with 23 league goals – and £6m former Celtic frontman Idah on Swansea’s books.

While Swansea are conscious that Vipotnik and Idah could yet be the subject of transfer interest in this summer’s window, Matos insists he can keep his three forwards happy.

“There’s a lot of games to come, a lot of competitions to participate in, and I think having a squad with depth in all positions is quite important for us,” said the Swansea head coach.

“It’s something that we felt last season in some moments was a little bit tricky. I remember when I was sitting here in December and everyone asked why we only have Zan Vipotnik as a striker and I needed I think maybe three press conferences to try to justify that.

“Now I’m justifying the opposite. I think it’s important to have that depth and then trying to squeeze the best out of the squad.”

Vipotnik, 24, has been linked with clubs across Europe in the wake of his spectacular 2025-26 campaign, but Swansea have indicated there have been no bids yet for the Slovenia international.

Republic of Ireland player Idah, 25, will be aiming to make a bigger impression in his second year at Swansea having played second fiddle to Vipotnik – and suffered a serious hamstring injury – last term.

The arrival of 30-year-old Stewart, who was a free agent after failing to agree a new deal at Southampton, means there will be fierce competition for a place in Swansea’s attack.

But Matos is adamant the former Sunderland player has not been recruited because one his other forwards is likely to be sold.

“We signed Ross because we believe it was an opportunity for us to catch a player with that right type of profile,” he added.

“It’s nothing related to [Vipotnik] leaving or not. It’s just what was a [good] opportunity.

“He brings leadership in a position where we needed experience of the league. He offers the same spontaneity in terms of the penalty box that Vipi (Vipotnik) has, he offers the same physicality that Adam can offer as well. So I think it’s a good combination with what we have at the moment.”

Stewart has been troubled by injuries at times during his career, with the former Sunderland player managing only 17 appearances across his first two seasons at Southampton before a better run in 2025-26.

But Matos has no concerns over Stewart’s fitness record, saying: “I think when you sign Ross you need to understand his history, his journey as a player.

“That’s why you have a medical team behind and you have fitness coaches who can really understand. Now it’s up to us to take the best out of him. We are really happy that we can count on him.”

Though he is injury-free, Stewart will not be considered for Swansea’s season-opening EFL Cup tie against Birmingham City on Saturday (15:00 BST) because he has not had a pre-season.

Vipotnik is also short of full fitness after a quad problem, meaning Idah is likely to start up front against the Blues.