Former Swindon Town defender Aden Flint has joined Rochdale on a deal until January.
The 37-year-old central defender arrives at Swindon's League Two rivals after leaving Walsall in the summer. He has made more than 500 senior club appearances during a career which began in non-league football.
Flint joined Swindon from Alfreton Town in January 2011 for a fee believed to be about £150,000. The move was a club record for Alfreton, with Swindon beating competition from Colchester United, Luton Town and Derby County.
After a short return to Alfreton on loan, Flint became an important player for Swindon. He helped the club win promotion from League Two in the 2011-12 season, scoring in the title-clinching 5-0 victory over Port Vale.
Flint also scored at Premier League Stoke during the following campaign, putting Swindon ahead in extra time during a 4-3 victory.
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His final season at the County Ground included a late equaliser against Brentford in the League One play-off semi-final. The goal took the tie into extra time, although Brentford eventually progressed after a penalty shoot-out.
Flint left Swindon for Bristol City in 2013 after the clubs agreed a deal that covered a sell-on clause to former club Alfreton, plus further incentives depending on appearances and performance. He later won Bristol City’s Player of the Year award in 2015-16.
His time with City also saw Flint become a pantomime villain, famously telling Sky Sports that he didn't want to see Swindon win promotion as the two sides challenged at the top of League One in 2014/15.
The defender went on to play for Middlesbrough, Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke City, Mansfield Town and Walsall. He helped Mansfield win promotion and was named in the Professional Footballers’ Association Team of the Year in 2024.
Rochdale said Flint joins after making just under 50 appearances for Walsall, where he notably struggled to contend with Aaron Drinan and Fletcher Holman against Town last season.
Flint said: “I’m happy to get it done. It’s been a frustrating summer waiting for the right opportunity and I’m grateful to come and play here.
“I’m looking forward to help the lads out; I’ve got good experience to use on and off the pitch. It should be a good blend with the younger lads here.”
Rochdale will hope his experience can support a squad containing younger players during his short-term spell, especially using his obvious size to counteract their early struggles following promotion, which has seen them concede five goals from corners in five matches.
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