Swindon Town player of the year leaves for League One club

One of Swindon Town's more popular players in recent times will be leaving.

The club has confirmed that Udoka Godwin-Malife has departed the club and joined League One side Burton Albion for an undisclosed fee, subject to EFL approval.

The 24-year-old has made 42 league appearances for Town since joining in the previous summer transfer window, scoring once in the opening league fixture against Crewe  Alexandra while also recording three assists, with his performances earning him the Players' Player of the Season award for last campaign.

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He now moves to Burton Albion, who finished 20th last season in League One, as the defender looks to test himself in the division above in 2024/25.

A club spokesperson said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dokes for all his efforts during his time with us and wish him all the very best for the future."

On arriving at Burton, Godwin-Malife said: “When I spoke to the head coach it made Burton feel like the right move for me in this stage in my career. He wanted to know about me as both a footballer and as a human being, which was really important to me, as it shows he cares. The new ownership is really positive and exciting as well, so everything seems to fit nicely.

“Playing in League One again is also an important factor for me joining, because I back myself with my capabilities and qualities to cope and progress at the level.

"Ultimately, it’s somewhere that I want to be to develop my football.”

Prior to the announcement, Burton Albion posted a teaser on their Twitter page, showing someone walking up to a microphone.

It had the caption 'give your all to me, I'll give my all to you'.

"Give your all to me, I'll give my all to you" 🎶 #BAFC pic.twitter.com/LtA0PqqEaZ

This is a reference to the former Swindon defender's silky vocals, which earned him a viral moment during his time with Swindon.

Town travelled to Essex for the first game of last season against former manager Ben Garner's Colchester but heavy Storm Antoni rainfall saw the game postponed just 30 minutes before kick-off.

Back in the dressing room, the former Forest Green Rovers player stood on one of the benches, used a bottle as a microphone, and belted out a surprising rendition of John Legend's hit All Of Me.

Then club captain Charlie Austin posted a clip on social media, and it was shared thousands of times, almost reaching 1million views.

He later revealed on his TikTok page that the clip had been recognised so widely that he was getting label calls.

The moment led to the footballer performing the John Legend at the Old Town Christmas Lights switch-on later that year.

Godwin-Malife tweeted a farewell message to Town fans, which read: "I just want to start by saying thank you to everyone involved at Swindon who brought me into the club and gave me the opportunity to play for the club.

"Secondly, I want to say thank you to the supporters who supported me during my stay. Take care all and God bless."