Swindon Town have completed the signing of Forest Green Rovers defender Udoka Godwin-Malife on a free transfer.
The 23-year-old moves to the County Ground after choosing not to extend his contract with Rovers despite holding talks with the Gloucestershire club.
Godwin-Malife becomes Swindon's fifth summer acquisition following the arrivals of Murphy Mahoney, Dan Kemp, Liam Kinsella and Jake Young.
READ MORE: Lavinier joins Forest Green on permanent deal
But unlike Mahoney, Kemp and Young, Town’s latest signing joins the EFL League Two club permanently.
After starting out at National League side Oxford City, Godwin-Malife had a brief spell with Eastleigh and pushed for a first team spot despite his young age.
Yet it was at Forest Green where the player made a real name for himself following his move in 2019.
The young defender impressed for Rovers last season, making 25 appearances for the club in their maiden League One season.
Godwin-Malife’s move to the County Ground will provide options for new Town manager Michael Flynn ahead of his first year in charge given the player’s defensive versatility.
Predominantly a centre-back, the 23-year-old can also play as a right-back and sometimes has filled in on the left too.
He is also no stranger to the fourth tier of English football, having made 80 appearances in the division.
The highlight of this stint was helping guide Forest Green to a memorable promotion in 2022 as he played 26 times.
Godwin-Malife made 128 appearances in total for Forest Green, assisting two goals from defence.
A statement from Forest Green Rovers said: "We’d like to thank Dokes for all his years of service at The New Lawn - and everybody at FGR wishes him all the best at Swindon."
Town start their 2023/24 campaign with a trip to face former manager Ben Garner and his current side Colchester United.
Having finished in 10th place last year and missing out on the play-offs, Town fans will be hoping Flynn’s first campaign in charge will see a push for promotion.
Swindon’s League Two curtain-raiser will kick off at 3pm on Saturday at the Colchester Community Stadium.
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