Swindon Town have made a significant addition to their squad by securing the permanent signing of midfielder Gavin Kilkenny from Premier League side AFC Bournemouth.
The 24-year-old joins the club on a two-year deal, with the move pending approval from the EFL.
Kilkenny brings a wealth of experience from the higher tiers of the English Football League, having accumulated over 40 appearances across both the Championship and League One. His journey through the EFL has seen him don the jerseys of Stoke City, Charlton Athletic, and Fleetwood Town during loan spells, in addition to representing his parent club, Bournemouth. He was also part of the Bournemouth squad that clinched promotion to the Premier League in the 2021/22 season.
Kilkenny is comfortable operating in various central midfield roles, a trait that has served him well throughout his career. His experience in the Championship with Stoke City and his stints in League One with Charlton and Fleetwood will hopefully make him a valuable asset for Swindon Town as they aim to improve on their disappointing start of the season.
Kilkenny’s footballing pedigree extends beyond club football, as he has also represented the Republic of Ireland at various youth international levels. He has made 30 appearances across five age groups, from the Under-16s up to the Under-21s, showcasing his talent on the international stage.
On joining Swindon, Kilkenny expressed his enthusiasm for the move: “It’s great to be here. It’s been in the works for the last couple of weeks, and I’m now delighted to get it done. It felt like the right stage of my career now, with the age I’m at. I needed a new home, and I feel like it’s time for me to make this place a permanent home. First and foremost, I just want to work hard for the team, be reliable, and put in a shift. I like to get on the ball and get the team playing, and I feel like I can bring that to the team.”
Jamie Russell, Swindon Town’s Head of Football, also shared his excitement about the signing: “We are delighted to secure the signing of Gavin Kilkenny as we feel he brings the right kind of attributes to what we are looking to add to our midfield going forward. He has had a lot of EFL experience at higher levels with both his former club AFC Bournemouth and during loan spells with Stoke City, Charlton, and Fleetwood Town, so we are delighted he’s seen us as the right next step for his career. We look forward to working with him and the skills and attributes he brings to the team.”
Kilkenny becomes the latest addition to Swindon Town’s 2024-25 summer transfer window, and fans will be eager to see him in action as a permanent member of the squad.
