Kilkenny pleased to find new home at Swindon Town

New Swindon Town midfielder Gavin Kilkenny insisted “it was the right stage of my career” to leave Premier League AFC Bournemouth to search for a new home.

The 24-year-old has joined fellow Irishman Mark Kennedy at the Nigel Eady County Ground, having been at the Cherries since the age of 16.

A former Republic of Ireland under-21 international, Kilkenny burst on to the scene for the Cherries in pre-season of 2019 when he scored and was named man-of-the-match in a 3-0 friendly victory over Lyon.

He went on to play 25 times for AFC Bournemouth in all competitions, as well as being part of the Championship promotion-winning squad in 2022.

The Dubliner has also had loan spells at the likes of Stoke City and Fleetwood before making the move to join Town.

Kilkenny told the club website: "It's great to be here. It's been in the works for the last couple of weeks and I'm now delighted to get it done.

"It felt like it was the right stage of my career now, with the age I'm at, it just felt right and I needed a new home and now I feel like it's time for me to make this place a permanent home for me.

"First and foremost, I just want to work hard for the team and be reliable, put in a shift and I like to get on the ball and get the team playing and I feel like I can bring that to the team."

(Picture: Rob Noyes)