Ofoborh discusses 'special moment' returning to football with Swindon

Nnamdi Ofoborh discussed his return to football at Swindon Town after dealing with heart troubles in recent years.

The midfielder started each of Swindon’s final six games of the campaign after joining the club in March on a deal until the end of the season.

Ofoborh has impressed in his time at Swindon and has been offered a new contract by the club for next season.

In an interview with The Athletic, Ofoborh discussed the struggles that he had to overcome before returning to football at Swindon.

He said: “If you run to catch the train you wouldn’t think to hear how your heart was beating, but any moment I feel out of breath I just listen to it beat. It’s a lot louder than it would be for you. I feel like it’s literally in my head.

“After a while, it just became kind of normal. I feel like Iron Man now, so I tell my friends I’m Tony Stark.

“These past three weeks have been surreal.

“When I was out warming up [against Notts County], I couldn’t believe I was actually back. The ball was taking forever to go out and I was looking at the clock saying, ‘I need as many minutes as possible here as I’ve got 22 people [watching], so I need to have a shot at goal!’.

“I had a feeling I was going to play but I didn’t tell anyone, even though they were all there. They should have given me my own stand! I could hear them cheering, so it was a special moment."

The 24-year-old was training with Swindon for seven weeks ahead of signing before the Good Friday game against Notts County as he made his return to organised football, having also spent time training with Bromley.

He said: “When I walked into the building I said, ‘This is it, I’m getting signed’. Once they see me out there it’s over, I just needed someone to give me the chance.

“My uncle is the reason I chose the number 59, as that’s the age he died. It was heartbreaking to see him as he was such an important person in my life.

“I promised him one time in hospital that I would be back one day. I was hoping he would be there when that day came, but his memory will never leave me, so I thought it (the number) would be a nice way to say thank you to him.”