Swindon Town have completed the signing of AFC Wimbledon forward Antwoine Hackford on a two-year deal on transfer deadline day.
In their second bit of business on the final day of the transfer window, Swindon have gone and secured the replacement for Fletcher Holman that they were after.
Hackford joins from the League One club for an undisclosed fee to add another dimension to the Swindon attack.
Capable of playing across the front line, the 22-year-old will provide pace and directeness to the Swindon attack, an important trait that they have been searching for.
Speaking upon his move to the Nigel Eady County Ground, he said: “ I want to bring excitement and goals and help bring the Club where it should be, higher than League Two.
"The gaffer had been in touch over the last couple of days, and what he was telling me made it an easy decision, his expectations, what he wants from me, it was a no brainer.
"I was with a couple of lads at Port Vale, so I already have that connection with them already. It definitely helps because I've been at clubs before where you don't know anyone, so having that here, it will help to settle in quickly.”
This is not the first time that Swindon have tried to sign Hackford, initially going after him on loan from Sheffield United under Mark Kennedy, although were beaten to him by Port Vale, where he played alongside Connor Ripley and Mitch Clark.
As the signing has been completed on deadline day, he will not be able to feature against his former club Port Vale when Swindon face them this evening.
Hackford signed permanently for Wimbledon last summer off the back of that loan spell at Vale Park, and he featured in 36 League One matches last season, although only started five.
Across all competitions, he netted six goals, but is less of a poacher and more of an inside forward, in the mould of Holman, who has been lost until the middle of December through injury.
Preferring to play from the right, Hackford’s pace saw him rank in the top ten per cent of League One forwards for fouls won per 90 minutes last season, and he also was in the top 25 per cent for successful crosses and cross accuracy.
This signing gives Ian Holloway a wealth of options to play with in attack, which is something he enjoys.
Share