SWINDON Town finished a relatively-quiet transfer deadline day in sensational style by announcing the return of Joe Tomlinson on an initial loan from Peterborough United with a view to making the move permanent in the summer.

The popular left-back signed for Swindon on the final day of January last year, and went on to make 10 appearances before an injury ended the time with his hometown club early.

The Chiseldon-born defender bagged three assists and a goal in his first spell with Town, and re-joins for a second stint following six appearances for Peterborough this season.

Speaking to Town's media team after wrapping up the move, Tomlinson said: “It’s brilliant to be back. I had a troubled time last season due to injury which was really frustrating, but I’m ready to go again, I feel good and can’t wait to get going.

“I had a great time here at the club previously when I was on loan, and being a Swindon boy growing up supporting them, I had no hesitation to come back once I knew there was interest.

“This is a really young side with a lot of talent and I’m looking forward to being a part of that, driving this club forward to great things.”

Tomlinson spent his early career with Southampton, Yeovil Town and Brighton, before a fruitful loan spell at Bognor Regis Town.

Following his release from The Seagulls at the end of the 2018-19 season, he penned a deal with Hungerford Town where he was handed the captaincy at the age of just 19.

A move to Eastleigh in 2020 followed, where he made 41 league appearances, scoring 12 goals, form which earned him a move to Peterborough United in July 2021.

It was then onto Swindon for his first taste of football at SN1 back in January last year, where he won the EFL Young Player of the Month Award following a superb February.

Town's technical director, Sandro Di Michele, said: “We’re incredibly excited to get Joe back here at Swindon Town.

“He’s a player the fans know really well and will be a key figure in our push towards promotion. Having played here already, he’ll be familiar with his surroundings which is a huge plus.”