Swindon Town sign Nigeria-eligible defender Tariq Uwakwe as their season kicks off today

ENGLISH Football League Two clubside Swindon Town have confirmed the signing of London-born Nigerian defender Tariq Uwakwe ahead of their season's opener against Colchester United today.

Uwakwe, 23, was on the books of Premier League side Chelsea for 15 years, before transferring to Crewe Alexandra on a permanent basis in January 2022. He has now, however, joined Swindon Town on a free transfer after rejecting a new contract at Crewe Alexandra, for whom he made 48 appearances, scoring one goal and registering five assists.

Very versatile, Uwakwe can play a variety of positions including wingback, central midfield and fullback.  He is the second player of Nigerian descent signed by Swindon Town during this current summer transfer window, after Udoka Godwin-Malife joined them earlier on in the summer.

In total, Uwakwe, the left-footed player made 36 appearances for Crewe Alexandra during the 2022/23 season. During the 2020/21 season, he notched four goals and four assists during a loan spell at Accrington Stanley.

Swindon Town, once an English Premier league team, who were then managed by former England boss Glen Hoddle, finished 10th in the fourth tier of English football last season and will be looking for a better 2023/24 campaign. They will be hoping that Uwakwe will be able to get them promoted to League One at the end of the forthcoming campaign.