Former Swindon Town goalkeeper Secure Move To League One Outfit After Departing Town This Summer

Former Swindon Town goalkeeper Jack Bycroft has secured a move to League One outfit Exeter City after departing Town this summer.

Following 18 months with his boyhood club, Bycroft departed Swindon this summer having been unable to come to an agreement over a new contract.

The 23-year-old arrived from Southampton in January 2024 after injury ended Murphy Cooper’s loan from Queen’s Park Rangers early, and he was the starter for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.

He started last year as the number one, but eventually shared the role with Norwich City loanee Dan Barden until January, when Connor Ripley arrived from Port Vale and took over.

Swindon rejected multiple approaches from National League clubs to take Bycroft on loan towards the end of last season.

Bycroft kept a clean sheet in three of his last seven Swindon appearances and was offered a contract at the end of last season, although he did not agree before the deadline imposed by Ian Holloway, causing Swindon to move on.

The Salisbury-born stopper had initially wanted a clearer path to regular football this season, but has been training with Exeter of late and has now signed a two-year deal with The Grecians.

Exeter boss Gary Caldwell said of him: “We wanted to get a young goalkeeper permanently that can push Joe (Whitworth) and have the potential to become a future No.1.

“We’ve looked at a few over the summer on trial, and Jack fits the profile of someone who has had minutes in League Two and is a young ‘keeper with good pedigree from Southampton. Working alongside Joe will bring out the best in him, so we are delighted to get him in.”

Bycroft was in attendance as Swindon won at Eastleigh last weekend, but has spent the off-season searching for a new opportunity after his exit, having had interest from various EFL and National League clubs.

Exeter view him as a good number two option with the capability of developing into a starting player, something which was trickier at Town with Ripley signing a new two-year deal this summer.

Swindon have pivoted back to Lewis Ward as their back-up goalkeeper after he returned for a third spell after leaving AFC Wimbledon, as Holloway preferred another experienced head for the role.

This move has also enabled up-and-comer Redman Evans to join Alvechurch on a three-month loan deal to continue his development in the last year of his first professional contract.