SWINDON Town's new chief scout Ben Chorley plans to add experience to the club's first-team after his appointment was confirmed this afternoon.

Chorley, 35, is in Spain with the Town squad this week for pre-season training and will take charge of searching for talent for the present and future.

The former defender - who played for clubs including Milton Keynes, Leyton Orient and Portsmouth during his Football League career – made more than 500 appearances as a player before retiring after a stint with Bromley in the National League last year.

And attracting players with more than 200 Football League games to their name is one priority Chorley is keen to fulfill. 

He told the club's official website: "You can pick up some really good players around League One, League Two and the Conference and it is spotting talent.

"From the contacts I've got in the game, I'm really up to date and fresh. The role will involve getting good, young players into the club and getting players who have played over 200 or 300 games over the line and in to help the club."

The former Arsenal man admitted to looking forward to his new challenge, adding he’s known members of the Swindon camp prior to joining the club.

He said: “It is a massive club, a great stadium, great fans and when it was put to me about getting involved and helping the project move forward, especially under an experienced manager, it was a no-brainer in terms of an opportunity.

"It is something that I know, it is a game I've been involved in for 20 years now and it is a fantastic opportunity.

"I can't wait to get started. I'll be bringing good players into the football club and helping Phil Brown and the chairman to see and develop good talent."

Steve Anderson, chief executive at Swindon Town, echoed Chorley’s comments and said his wealth of experience on the pitch helped with his appointment.

He said: “We are delighted to be able welcome someone of Ben's calibre to the football club.

"Ben will bring a wealth of experience to the role of chief scout having enjoyed a playing career that spanned over 20 years in professional football.

"Ben's role will be instrumental in working alongside the management team to identify talent to bring into the football club both in the short and long-term."