Swindon Town defender Ryan Delaney has been informed he is free to find a new club before the summer transfer window closes on 1 September.
The 27-year-old Irishman has yet to feature in a matchday squad this season under Ian Holloway, joining Joel McGregor and Harrison Minturn as the only senior players to have been omitted from both of the Robins’ opening games.
Part of summer reshuffle
Swindon have been busy in the transfer market, with Princewill Ehibhatiomhan set to become the club’s 11th signing of the summer. But alongside the influx of arrivals, there has been an effort to move players out to free up space and budget for further additions.
Tunmise Sobowale recently joined St Mirren after being told he was not in Holloway’s plans, while several younger players have been sent out on loan for experience. Delaney is now among those deemed surplus to requirements, although Holloway has left the door open for a rethink if no deal materialises.
“Ryan, he is on the list. He should be playing for someone else if someone else wants him. I have told him that, but if, when the window shuts, he is still here, then I will have a rethink,” the manager explained.
Injury-hit first season
Delaney joined Swindon from Newport County last summer and made 21 appearances in his debut campaign. Despite struggling with injuries, he battled through to become a regular starter in December and January, playing a key role during a congested winter schedule.
However, his lack of involvement in the early weeks of the current season suggests his time at the County Ground could be coming to an end if a suitor emerges.
Holloway also hopes to secure a loan move for Minturn, though no National League offers have yet been made, and the defender is reluctant to drop into the sixth tier. With three weeks left in the window, the Swindon boss remains optimistic that players outside his plans will secure moves away.
Writer’s View
This feels like a straightforward case of a manager reshaping his squad and moving on players who don’t fit his immediate plans. Delaney has the experience to be a solid asset for a club at League Two level or in the National League, and his leadership qualities could appeal to teams seeking defensive stability. For Swindon, any departure would open up resources to strengthen further before the deadline.
