SWINDON Town manager Phil Brown is excited by the potential of new recruit Jak McCourt after he was confirmed as the club’s latest signing this lunchtime.

McCourt joins Town on a free transfer from Chesterfield after the 23-year-old endured a tough season with the Spireites following their relegation to the National League.

The holding midfielder, who has signed a one-year deal, will remain in the Football League though after Brown confirmed he’s willing to forget McCourt’s ‘nasty scar’ from last season.

Brown said: “He (McCourt) has a ‘nasty scar’ on his CV after last year at Chesterfield. I think I learnt a lot about Jak McCourt from that nasty scar, and hopefully we’ll see the benefit of that because I know what he’s like as a footballer.

“He can play in the right way and is a definite number four – he likes to sit behind the ball and let the game come to him.

“He got used in a different role at Chesterfield as he had a run of games where he was playing in the advanced role and got himself six goals from 12 games.”

McCourt started his professional career at Premier League side Leicester before enjoying loan stints at Torquay United and Port Vale.

Following his time at Leicester, McCourt made the switch to Barnsley – a team he appeared for once – before gaining valuable game time with Northampton Town in the 2016/17 season.

The end of his spell at Northampton prompted a switch to Chesterfield – who were relegated along with Swindon Town from League One in 2017.

In 39 appearances, the Liverpool-born midfielder struck six times for Chesterfield last season – including a sensational 35-yard strike at the County Ground against his new team to earn the Spireites a 2-2 draw.

His ability to break up the game and fight for the ball is what attracted Brown to first making contact with his latest addition.

He said: “Jak completed 75 per cent of his medical process on Saturday, that was fitness testing and going through the physiotherapist part.

“What Jak brings is he has a very good foundation – he served his apprenticeship at Leicester in a very good and well-run environment.

“There are certain things to like about Jak, but his ability to break the game up and fight for the ball is what Jak is.

“His presence will provide a little bit of competition for places in that holding role.”

The move is subject to FA and EFL approval but makes McCourt Town's sixth summer signing.

He told swindontownfc.co.uk: "I'm delighted. We've finally got it over the line and we can move forward now.

"I'm looking forward to getting a couple of pre-season games under my belt ready for the first game of the season.

"The manager himself and how big the football club is was a big selling point for me.

"It is a football club that wants to get promoted this season and it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down."