Swindon Town sign promotion-winning Crawley defender

Swindon Town have snapped up towering defender Will Wright in the wake of Udoka Godwin-Malife's departure.

Just half an hour after announcing popular Godwin-Malife was joining Burton Albion, the club had confirmed that Crawley Town's Wright would be joining on a permanent deal subject to EFL approval.

The 6ft 3ins defender was a key part of Crawley's promotion via the play-offs in the 2023/24 season, featuring in both play-off semi-finals against MK Dons and also in the final against Crewe Alexandra, where he played the full 90 minutes in a 2-0 victory.

The 27-year-old finished 2023/24 having played 45 regular season fixtures and with four goals to his name but also an impressive nine assists from central defence.

Wright reportedly turned down a new deal with the Red Devils and is looking to replicate the success he found at Crawley in the last campaign.

After completing his move to the club, Town's most recent recruit said: "I'm buzzing, now it's all done and all real. I'm ready to get going and get my teeth into pre-season.

"The club speaks for itself and it's such a big club at this level, and even at the league above as well. I think the next move after last season's success was a big one for myself, so coming here with the project and the ambition they're setting out, it just felt right."

As Town make their fifth signing of the summer following Wright's arrival, head of football Jamie Russell, also added: "We are delighted that Will has joined us from now-League One Crawley, as there was a lot of competition for Wills's signature and we are thrilled that he is joining us for the 2024/25 season.

"Will played over 40 League Two games last season and more importantly, gained promotion which is a key area of our recruitment this summer and can be shown with this signing but also Ollie Clarke at the start of this summer transfer window.

"He not also offers defensive solidity with a promotion-winning mindset, but also he is a threat when attacking too, which can be shown by the number of goal involvements he had in Crawley's season last campaign, and we're really looking forward to seeing him in a Swindon Town shirt soon."

The Luton-born defender started his playing career in non-league football, before impressing during his time there to earn a move to League Two rivals Colchester United in 2018. A spell in the National League with Dagenham & Redbridge followed, with Wright continuing to show his capabilities at both ends of the pitch, but most importantly racking up over 150 appearances during his time with the Daggers.

The versatile defender next earned his move back into the EFL, with the decision to join Gillingham back in June 2022, with the centre-back clocking up almost another 50 appearances this time for the Gills in the 2022-23 season, scoring twice and picking up five assists from central defence too.

He then moved to Crawley in August 2023 where he achieved his most successful season to date.

The news of Wright's signing follows the news that Godwin-Malife was departing to Burton Albion for an undisclosed fee.

The player wrote on Twitter: "First of all, I just want to start by saying thank you to everyone involved at Swindon who brought me into the club & 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."