Bristol Rovers have agreed a deal to sign Aston Villa center-back Sil Swinkels on loan for the remainder of the season, Bristol Live understands.

As first reported by The Athletic, the 21-year-old is expected to join Rovers before the transfer window closes on Monday for the remainder of the campaign in what will be his first loan spell.

The Dutchman joined Villa from Vitesse Arnhem in 2020 and made his senior debut for the Premier League side earlier this season in a Carabao Cup clash against fellow League One side Wycombe Wanderers. He also featured in three of Aston Villa Under-21s' EFL Trophy matches as the Villans knocked out another third tier outfit in Blackpool before losing to Bradford in the round of 16.

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Swinkels has also been on the bench for six of Villa's eight Champions League league phase matches, including Wednesday night's 4-2 win over Celtic, as well as for four Premier League clashes.

Rovers have built a strong relationship with Villa over recent years with left-back Lino Sousa currently on loan from the Birmingham outfit while Lamare Bogarde had two separate loan spells in BS7 with the versatile midfielder starting in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Adding a centre-back is understood to have been a priority for the Gas throughout the January window. Currently, the preferred partnership has been a pairing of James Wilson and Connor Taylor while Taylor Moore and Clinton Mola are also options in central defence.

Rovers did lose some cover at the back earlier this month when West Ham United loanee Michael Forbes returned to his parent club after suffering a hamstring injury. The 20-year-old has since joined League Two side Colchester United on loan.

It is currently unclear whether the deal has been completed in time for Swinkels to be available for Sunday's home game against Peterborough United. However, it looks unlikely.

If completed, the Dutchman will become the Gas' third signing of the January window after confirming the arrival of midfielder Matt Butcher on loan from Wycombe Wanderers on Thursday night while another midfielder in Romaine Sawyers joined on a deal until the end of the season earlier this month.

It is understood that Rovers are still keen on adding at least one attacking option to their squad before the window closes at 11pm on Monday night.

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