After days of heavy speculation, Swindon Town have today announced the re-signing of club legend Charlie Austin on a 6-month contract according to the club’s official website.
Austin, 33, recently returned to the UK after a short stint with Brisbane Roar, citing family reasons as the cause of his early departure after only being with the club for six months.
After keeping coy on the topic in recent press conferences and interviews, the club announced the signing on their official channels today after Austin was present for their Boxing Day 2-1 defeat to Walsall. This marked the end of the worst kept transfer saga of the Christmas period, after Sky Sports showed an interview with the signing at the County Ground once before pulling it, and numerous fans podcasts already publishing episodes hailing his return.
Charlie Austin has enjoyed a prolific career since Swindon gave him his first chance in professional football, picking him up from Poole Town in 2009 where he had scored 48 goals in 42 games. Austin was able to give up his job as a bricklayer to turn professional with Swindon, and he returned the faith shown in him in abundance. Scoring 31 goals in 54 games, Austin was picked up by Championship Burnley. Austin once again proved his ability in front of goal for the Clarets, maintaining a one goal in two ratio that saw him return 41 goals from 82 matches.
He was then snapped up by QPR on a three-year deal and went on to sign for Southampton for a reported £4 million fee before turning out for West Bromwich Albion in 2019.
While Swindon fans have plenty of good memories of the Hungerford-born striker’s first stint with the club, Austin also famously missed a chance to equalise in the League One playoff final match against Millwall in 2010 after the ball bobbled on the hallowed Wembley turf. With that in mind, Austin has unfinished business with the Wiltshire club, and fans hope he could provide the spark that ignites a season that has faltered slightly in recent weeks.
We're delighted to confirm the signing of Charlie Austin…
The prolific former Robin returns to the County Ground on a deal until the end of the season👇👇https://t.co/aJWutglDOI
Welcome home Charlie 🔥🔥#STFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/aajKkZg9EI
— Swindon Town Football Club (@Official_STFC) December 30, 2022
With Jonny Williams currently Swindon’s top scorer, and nobody in the top 10 scoring positions in League 2, Austin’s signing could be the missing piece of the puzzle they need to maintain their automatic aspirations.
Writer’s view
While there is an element of sentimentality surrounding Charlie Austin’s return, his undoubtable ability to finish chances and the positive spin it would generate for the club, which has seen produced some flat atmospheres recently at the County Ground, mean it could be a case of right-place right-time for Austin’s return.
His strength has never been his pace, and his strikers instinct could prove vital, while also providing much needed experience for younger players, such as Jacob Wakeling, to learn from.
Swindon fans – Will Charlie Austin’s return be the positive outcome you all hope, or will his legacy go in the way of Ronaldo’s at Manchester United?
