Swindon Town's longest serving player departs to join Colchester United

Swindon Town’s longest serving player Ellis Iandolo has moved to League Two rivals Colchester United for an undisclosed fee. Total Sport’s Joe Acklam reports on the transfer.

Iandolo joined Town from Maidstone United in the summer of 2015 and has played under ten permanent managers in that time and made 172 appearances, as well as being part of the squad which won the League Two title under Richie Wellens during the 2019/20 season.

The 25-year-old will reunite with former boss Ben Garner at the JobServe Community Stadium and becomes the first signing of the Garner-era.

Michael Flynn said on his departure: “Ellis [Iandolo] is a very competent player at this level, but I think he wanted a new challenge.

“From my point of view, I need my own players here and players who want to be here and realise what an honour it is to play for the football club.

“There was an offer that the club felt was right, so it is as simple as that.

“I have spoken to Ellis and he is a good lad, but this is football and it happens.”

Swindon Town begin their season with a trip to Essex to take on Colchester and it is possible that Iandolo will make his competitive debut for The U’s against the club he has represented for the last eight years.

The Chatham-born player experienced almost everything football has to offer across his eight years at the County Ground, being apart of two relegations, a league title, an FA Cup Third Round tie against Manchester City, and a Play-Off campaign which culminated in him missing the decisive penalty in the semi-final against Port Vale.