Swindon Town have completed the permanent signing of AFC Bournemouth midfielder Gavin Kilkenny on a two-year contract at the Nigel Eady County Ground.

With time running out in the summer transfer window, Town have added the Republic of Ireland youth international to provide further quality to the engine room.

Kilkenny is not in the mould of an attacking midfielder that many fans have been hoping for, but did show to be an effective player for Fleetwood last season, getting two assists from 15 starts and also showing well statistically for his crossing ability as well as breaking up play through interceptions and recoveries.

The midfielder has also picked up 20 caps for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s having progressed under the guidance of former Town striker Alan Connell in the Bournemouth academy, where he was a teammate of current Town midfielder Nnamdi Ofoborh.

During his time with the Irish Under-21s, he had played alongside the likes of Nathan Collins and Gavin Bazunu, as well as lining up against Sandro Tonali, Manuel Locatelli, and Dejan Kulusevski.

Mark Kennedy said after the 0-0 draw against Crewe Alexandra that he was a player that he much admired and was familiar with, now Swindon have managed to land the 24-year-old who has previously had spells with Stoke City and Charlton Athletic.

Speaking upon his arrival, he said: “I have been at Bournemouth for eight years, so I think it was important now to find a new home.

“At the age I am at now and having been on three loans, I think it was just the right time to get out and have a fresh start to reset and build my career.

“It is obviously a big club in League Two and speaking to people in the club, they don’t want to be here for long, they have spent a lot of time in League One and above.

“There are a few connections for me, I know the manager [Kennedy], so it made sense for a lot of reasons and I am happy to be here.

“Naturally as a player, I want to get on the ball and get the team playing but first and foremost anybody in my position has to be relied on to win their individual battles and work their socks off.

“From that, you can then earn the right to play and hopefully that is what I can do and add that to the team.”