Transfer Analysis: Mathieu Baudry

Swindon Town made it two signings in two days as former Leyton Orient and MK Dons centre-back Mathieu Baudry joined the club on a one-year deal yesterday. But who really is Swindon Town's newest recruit? Total Sport Swindon's Rajan Hothi gives his transfer analysis.

Richie Wellens is wasting little time making moves this summer as the Town manager secured his fourth signing of the transfer window. And despite the latest addition perhaps not grabbing the headlines as others would do, it is still very much a crucial signing for Wellens and co. 

Born in Le Havre, France, Baudry started his career in his home country with Ligue 2 club side Troyes FC where he stayed for five-years before making the cross-channel switch to England with Bournemouth in 2011. However, after making just three appearances in his first season with the Cherries, Baudry was shipped out on loan to League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge where he cemented himself as a regular.

Having impressed with the Daggers during his season-long loan, Baudry was expecting to be given a chance at parent club Bournemouth once the season came to an end. But the then—Bournemouth manager Paul Groves seen things differently as Baudry moved to Leyton Orient in 2012. 

The Frenchman enjoyed four fruitful seasons with the O's and played an integral role in the side that reached the League One play-off final in 2014, before eventually becoming the club captain in 2015. 

Baudry departed the club in 2016 to sign for Doncaster Rovers where he was a mainstay in the Donny side that won promotion from League Two in 2017 and the 31-year-old defender was rewarded with a move to MK Dons on the back of an impressive season.

But it wasn’t to be the dream move Baudry had hoped for with his solitary campaign at MK marred by injuries, restricting the defender to just five appearances for the entirety of the season. 

A one-year deal at STFC highlights the obvious caution regarding his fitness, but if the 31-year-old can remain injury-free during his time at SN1 then he has potential to be one of the best defenders in the division, something that Swindon certainly need to happen if they are to earn promotion back to the higher realms of the English Football League.

Baudry fits into Wellens' passing philosophy well with the Frenchman more than capable of playing out from the back, and his experience should help the likes of fellow centre-back Dion Conroy, whom he may form a partnership with after it was revealed that the former Chelsea defender is intent on staying at the County Ground. 

Speaking to the club website following the move, Baudry said:

"I’m happy to get it done. For a while now my choice was made and it was just that I was away but I’ve been looking forward to getting it done.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone and getting started,” he said.

Similar to the signing of Zeki Fryers, this is undoubtedly a perilous deal that could have two very different outcomes, but if Town can keep Baudry fit he will be able to showcase his ability as he looks to secure regular football and finish his career on a high. 

Photo credit: Swindon Town FC