Swindon Town sign Crystal Palace defender Jake O'Brien on loan

The imposing centre-back takes Swindon's current loan tally up to five and gives head coach Ben Garner another option with experienced defender Mathieu Baudry remaining out of contention through injury.

The Former Cork City defender only arrived at Selhurst Park last February - initially on loan before signing a permanent contract over the summer.

O'Brien scored his first goal for Palace's development side against Sunderland in March 2021, before scoring two more against Middlesbrough in a crucial game at the end of the season.

In a statement on Swindon Town's website, director of football, Ben Chorley, said: “Jake is an imposing first contact centre-half.

“He enjoys competing in both boxes. He plays with aggression and a desire that I think you need to be a top player. He showed a fantastic work effort and consistent development from the many times he’s been watched over the last year.

“After making contact with Crystal Palace, and presenting our plans, both myself and Ben Garner had great conversations with Jake and his representative, Pat Dean, and we are delighted with the outcome.

“Crystal Palace have a top Academy structure. This further signals the relationships and the trust category one clubs have in Swindon Town to develop and enhance their best young players on and off the pitch.”

Fresh after putting pen to paper at The County Ground, O’Brien - again speaking to Swindon Town's in-house media, revealed his excitement at joining the club.

He said: “I’m delighted to be joining Swindon and hopefully I can play a part in us getting up the table.

“I see myself coming in as a ball-playing centre-half, I have a lot of height, and I think I can be good in both boxes, score and defend and I think I can add to the team.

“There is no better team in League Two in my eyes to come to than Swindon Town.”

O'Brien could be in line to be included in Swindon Town's squad against Manchester City in the FA Cup on Friday night.