FORMER Swindon Town captain Nathan Thompson has signed for League One Stevenage.

The 32-year-old was released by Peterborough United in the summer, and there were faint hopes from some Robins fans that the Swindon-schooled defender might bookend his career at the County Ground having made his professional league debut with Town in 2010.

But those wishes were ended on Thursday as Thompson agreed a deal - the length of which was not disclosed - with Steve Evans' men.

After making his Swindon debut in a 3-0 reverse against Charlton Athletic in February 2010, Thompson would go on to play three more times that season - including in the second round of the EFL Trophy against Torquay United.

Appearances in the following season were also tough to come by before 2012-13 gave Thompson his first continued run in the Robins' first team.

His best run of form arrived in the 2014-15 campaign, though, as Town reached the League One play-off final following one of the most extraordinary matches in post-season history - a 5-5 draw with Sheffield United that allowed Swindon to progress 7-6 on aggregate.

But the build-up to the Wembley occasion was dominated by a troublesome hamstring injury for Thompson, an issue that ultimately forced him off moments after Preston North End's opening goal early on.

Having racked up seven seasons and 186 games at the County Ground with four goals, the rock-steady right-back moved on to Portsmouth where he would feature over 70 times across two campaigns in League One.

Thompson later signed for Posh where he played 130 games and enjoyed promotion to the Championship in 2021.

With over 300 League One appearances for Peterborough, Portsmouth, and Swindon behind him - as well as four unsuccessful play-off trips - Thompson will now hope to keep Stevenage in the third tier following their promotion from League Two last season.

In a statement on Stevenage's website announcing the news, Thompson said: “I’ve had good discussions with the manager about what we are looking to achieve this season.

“Having played against Stevenage numerous times, it’s always been a tough game. Now, I’m looking forward to being on the other side and seeing what we can achieve”.