Two Strikers Sign

Waiting for a striker to sign for Swindon this summer has been somewhat like waiting for a bus, two arrive one after the other. Alan Connell joins from Grimsby for a six figure fee whilst Mehdi Kerrouche signs having previously been a free agent.

Leon Knight. Christian Cesaretti. Hugo Bargas. Adam Birchall. A Brazilian who may or may not exist. Just some of the strikers Town have considered signing this summer as they looked to strengthen their front line. Although waiting for the elusive strikers has been frustrating it hasn’t been for a lack of trying.

Alan Connell has certainly been around the block with no less than 6 clubs in recent years. In his lone season for Grimsby the ex-Brentford man certainly impressed with 25 goals in 46 appearances. The gulf in class between League Two and the Blue Square Premier is not what it was so I am confident Connell can produce the goods.

Connell certainly wasn't as prolific at his previous clubs, notably Bournemouth with only 13 goals in over 100 appearances in his two spells with the Cherries. However, reports suggest he was regularly played out of position in midfield.

Alan Connell is joined by Mehdi Kerrouche, who was most recently with United Arab Emirates side Al-Oruba. The Algerian also has an impressive goals record, he scored 12 goals in 18 appearances last term. Looking further back through his career, his stats look equally impressive.

The duo join Raffaele De Vita, Billy Bodin and Jordan Pavett in the forward area at Swindon. The latter two are yet to score in professional football whilst De Vita is yet to reach his peak. The likelyhood is that Connell and Kerrouche will become the main partnership next season.

After seeing so many departures the Town squad is still one or two short; although I expect a few more to join this week. Trialists Alessandro Cibocchi appears poised to sign a two year deal whilst a decision on winger Etienne Esajas is expected to made this week. Hopefully my next article will be to discuss our next signing.