Swindon Town are looking to tie Joel McGregor down to a new contract after he has enjoyed a breakout season at the Nigel Eady County Ground.
The academy graduate made a big impression towards the end of last season before agreeing to a two-year first professional contract in the summer alongside fellow under-18 stars Redman Evans, Sonny Hart, and Jaxon Brown.
The signings of Tunmise Sobowale and Jeff King meant that the youngster had to wait for his chance, not making his first league appearance until the end of September and only getting his first start of the season during October.
After replacing King at Tranmere Rovers, McGregor hit the ground running and instantly became one of the most impactful players in the squad, scoring both his first senior and league goals against Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham Town in the same week.
Since December, McGregor has struggled with a groin injury that has limited him to just six appearances in 2025, but he has done more than enough to be seen as a core part of the senior squad.
His status is such that Ian Holloway completely ruled out the possibility of selling him in January, as he also did with Harry Smith, with fans worried that the club may be forced to cash in on him.
When speaking about his thoughts around the contract situation at the club, Holloway revealed that he planned to improve McGregor’s deal in line with his status within the squad.
He said: “If people are worried that we might lose people, then the main people who I could see are on contract already.
“All of them. I could have sold Will Wright coming up to the last window, but he has got next year; I haven’t had a phone call for Harry, but I am sure I will in the summer, and he already has next year.
“Joel McGregor has also got next year. I am going to slightly improve his deal because it is not fair for what he has done.
“We are going to put a simple thing [in the contracts] where every young player gets the same money, and if you play a certain amount of games [it goes up]. That is what I do, and that is how I do it.
“Hopefully, we fend off some bids in the summer because we have done so well from now until the finish, and everyone wants to stay here.”
Whilst McGregor still has another year on his contract, Swindon will make this move to ensure that the versatile right-sided player remains with them next season, given his talent at such a young age.
He is one of 13 players who have deals which include next season, with Holloway believing that many of his most important players are part of that group, alongside Wright, Smith, and Gavin Kilkenny.
Swindon have been without him during their last three matches against Accrington Stanley, Morecambe, and AFC Wimbledon as his previous groin injury has been causing him further discomfort.
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