Swindon confirm first signing of the summer

Swindon Town have confirmed the signing of former Mansfield Town midfielder Ollie Clarke for an undisclosed fee.

Clarke arrives having helped guide Mansfield to promotion from League Two last season, becoming Swindon's first summer signing.

The 31-year-old has also spent time with Bristol Rovers during his career, winning their Player of the Season award in consecutive years.

He came through the academy at the Memorial Stadium and would go on to make more than 200 appearances for his boyhood club.

Having appointed Mark Kennedy earlier this week, preparations for next season have really begun as the first signing has also arrived.

Speaking at Kennedy's announcement on Thursday, Head of Football Jamie Russell spoke about his desire to bring in players with experience of earning promotion.

He said: “We are not just going into the young market, we are fully aware of the experience that the first team needs and we know exactly where it needs to be strengthened.

“Our pitch is ‘come and get promoted’, we are looking for players to come in and really strengthen this team.

“We are looking at people who have just been promoted or have one or two promotions on their CV, that is going to be a big thing around our recruitment.”

Clarke was an ever-present in the Mansfield side that won promotion last season, making 39 appearances and finding the back of the net three times.

He has also earned promotion three times in his career, the other two coming in back-to-back years with Bristol Rovers, via the playoffs in the Conference in 2015 and finishing third in League Two in 2015/16.

Manager Nigel Clough said explained the decision in a statement on the Mansfield website: “Ollie been magnificent for the club for the past four years.

“We had just exercised the option in Ollie’s contract and an enquiry from Swindon came out of the blue. It was an opportunity which Ollie wanted to explore and will enable him to move back closer to home. He has a baby on the way, so all-in-all it’s a personal decision and a chance to play some more football.

“He’s been a superb captain both on and off the pitch. Even last year when he didn’t have the armband, he had a great influence in the dressing room and on the field.

“Ollie leaves the club with our thanks and very best wishes. He has been a brilliant servant to the club.”