SWINDON Town bolstered their defensive options on transfer deadline day by signing centre back Rollin Menayese on loan from Bristol Rovers until the end of the season, although midfielders John Goddard and James Brophy both bid farewell to the club.

Twenty-year-old Menayese joined Rovers from National League South outfit Weston-super-Mare last summer but he has played just four times for the League One club this season.

The arrival of Menayese will give boss David Flitcroft further options at the back, with Town having just three recognised fit central defenders in their squad prior to his arrival in captain Olly Lancashire, Matt Preston and Chris Robertson.

Speaking to Town’s official website after his arrival was confirmed, Menayese said: “I’m excited and as soon as I was told I was coming here, I couldn’t wait to get here and just get started.

“Swindon are a big club in this league and in the Football League as well and they are doing really well at the top of the table.

“It was a no-brainer.

“I want to come here and just play games, grow as a player, improve and do my best to help the team get as many clean sheets and three points as possible.”

Menayese was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo but moved to south Wales with his family, where he was quickly snapped up by Championship side Cardiff City.

He captained the Bluebirds at every youth level and he was also selected as also selected as skipper for Wales at U16 and U17 level.

After being released by Cardiff in December 2016, Menayese joined Weston before being signed by Rovers just six months later.

His arrival at the Energy Check County Ground is offset by the exits of Goddard and Brophy to League Two rivals Stevenage and National League side Leyton Orient respectively, with both departing for an undisclosed fee.

Former England C player Goddard was plucked from non-league ahead of the 2016-17 season, with Town snapping him up from National League side Woking.

The 24-year-old made 48 appearances for the club during his maiden campaign, notching three goals in the process, but injury has held him back this season.

Although, Goddard has played 17 times for Town in 2017-18, he has not started a match since the 5-2 FA Cup second round defeat away at Stevenage back on December 2.

Brophy was another player Town gave a chance to from the non-league scene back in the summer of 2015 and he went on to make 73 appearances for the club in all competitions.

The 23-year-old has found game time harder to come by this season, however, and has played just nine times for the club this term.

He spent a brief spell on loan at Orient earlier in the campaign and the two clubs have now agreed to make that switch a permanent one.