Former Swindon Town defender Aden Flint paid homage to the influence of Paolo Di Canio in the development of his career.

The now 34-year-old signed for Swindon in January 2011 whilst Danny Wilson was in charge, his first venture into professional football, and has gone on to have a very strong career that has seen him make over 250 appearances in the Championship with Bristol City, Middlesbrough, Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday, and Stoke City.

The defender spent three seasons at the County Ground, winning the League Two title under Di Canio in the 2011/12 season and then made the League One play-offs the following season before departing for Bristol City.

Flint said that he felt that the Italian and the success the team experienced under him was a big boost in his fledgling career as he adapted to the Football League.

In an interview with Sky Bet, he said: “You could tell the difference in the step up [to league football]. I went in January [to Swindon] – I played a couple of games, then found myself out of the team because Danny Wilson left the club and I found myself going back to Alfreton [Town] on loan.

“I went back [to Swindon] in the summer, a fresh start under Paolo Di Canio. There was no better manager to be with cutting my teeth, if you like, in the football league and I’ve not looked back since.

“It was another successful time at a club [Swindon] because I went in there and we got a promotion – straight back into League One from League Two. It was two and a half years which I enjoyed before I went to Bristol City, and it kicked on from there.

“I developed there [at Swindon]. I plied my trade, learnt professional football and started my professional journey.”