Jack Payne spurns Swindon Town interest to sign for fellow League Two club

Former Swindon Town player Jack Payne has secured his next move elsewhere after the Robins said they were keen on a return

Colchester United confirmed that it had secured Payne's signature after his departure from Charlton Athletic in May this year.

The U's have held off competition from other clubs to sign the experienced midfielder on a two-year contract.

One of these clubs was Swindon Town, who had looked at the player to possibly return and bring in some experience to the squad for the upcoming season. 

Speaking to The Adver, Head of Football Jamie Russell: “Jack is an excellent player and if you are not interested in someone who is technically very good and has obviously been here previously, so they know what the club is like then you are not doing your due diligence.

“A lot of these players have been on our radar for months and as soon as they get to the end of their contract, or it looks like they have been released then we have already been in contact months before.”

But Payne evidently felt a move to Colchester at this time.

Speaking following his signing announcement, Payne told cu-fc.com: “I’ve worked with Danny and Nicky before and we keep in touch generally, so when the summer came and I became a free agent, discussions started taking place.

Payne spent last season on loan at League Two side MK Dons, making 42 appearances and scoring seven goals in all competitions.

The 29-year-old, who began his career at Southend United, has won promotion from all three divisions in the Football League and made 28 appearances for Huddersfield Town in the 2016/17 season, helping them win promotion to the Premier League.

“It got cut short so I’m excited to be working with them again, I really enjoyed the time I had with them and it was a massive factor in me signing.”

Payne joined Swindon in August 2020 and spent two seasons playing his home matches at the County Ground before departing for League One team Charlton Athletic to be reunited with former coach Ben Garner.

He made 72 appearances for the Reds during his time at the club, scoring 17 goals which saw him part of both a relegation and a failed play-off bid.