SWINDON Town tonight secured the signing of French-born midfielder Toumani Diagouraga on a two-year deal.

The free transfer deal, subject to FA and EFL approval, makes the former Watford and Leeds United player the seventh signing by the club this summer.

Diagouraga, 31, enjoyed a previous spell at Town, 12 years ago when making eight appearances for then Town boss Iffy Onuora in League One.

More than a decade later, Diagouraga, who had been in League One with Fleetwood, has returned to Wiltshire after boss Phil Brown received glowing references from his target’s former managers in Mark Warburton and Uwe Rosler.

The Paris-born defensive midfielder will fill the holding number four role after Brown revealed both Martin Smith and Jak McCourt have failed to settle into the position naturally.

Brown said: “He’s a definitive sitting midfield player, and I don’t think we’ve got one naturally in the camp.

“When I first arrived, everybody was telling me that James Dunne is that person. I don’t think he is.

“Martin Smith has tried to do that in a couple of pre-season friendlies, but I don’t think it’s natural to him.

“We’ve signed Jak McCourt, he could be that player. But then Jak likes to get on the ball with plenty of energy.”

Following his last stint at the County Ground, Diagouraga enjoyed time at Rotherham United, Hereford and Peterborough United before settling at Brentford, where between 2010 and 2016 he made 210 appearances.

Spells at Portsmouth, Leeds United, Ipswich Town, Plymouth Argyle and Fleetwood Town followed before he was linked with a move back to Wiltshire.

Brown’s last encounter with Diagourage in a competitive environment came back in January when Southend were downed 2-1 against Fleetwood – for whom Diagouraga was making his debut – at Roots Hall.

That loss prompted Brown’s exit from the Shrimpers following five years in charge. But there seem to be few hard feelings between the pair, as Brown complimented the 31-year-old’s style of play.

He said: “Toumani, for me, is an out-and-out number four.

“He breaks things up and keeps it simple. I’ve got very strong and glow recommendations from Mark Warburton and Uwe Rosler.

“He did play at Leeds for three years and Uwe told me that Leeds outbid Rangers for his services when that move came around.

“We’re only talking three years ago that he was getting touted at one of the biggest clubs in Scottish football.

“I’m looking for that type of calibre of player to take us to the next level and have that awareness, understanding, information and knowledge.”

Meanwhile, Town were downed 5-0 by Portuguese giants Benfica at St George’s Park yesterday in the club’s latest pre-season friendly.