Swindon Town have completed the signing of forward Charlie Austin on a free transfer, subject to EFL approval and international clearance.
The 33-year-old, who spent two seasons at SN1 between 2009 and 2011, has penned a deal at The County Ground until the end of the current 2022/23 campaign after agreeing a mutual termination of his contract with A-League side Brisbane Roar earlier this month.
The forward joined Swindon Town in September 2009 after impressing on trial from Poole Town, and went on to score an impressive 31 league goals in 54 appearances in his first season in professional football.
His clinical finishing earned him legend status among Town fans during his two year stint in Wiltshire, but January 2011 saw him move on to pastures new, joining Championship side Burnley on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
An equally fruitful two year period at Turf Moor ensued, where Austin averaged a league goal every two games in his 82 appearances, before Queens Park Rangers secured his services in August 2013.
He spent three seasons at Loftus Road, with his goals once again proving pivotal, as the London club secured promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs during the 2013-14 campaign.
Austin certainly wasn’t phased as he made a seamless step up to England’s top flight, as he finished the 2014-15 season as the divisions fourth highest goal scorer, with 18.
His efforts didn’t go unrecognised by then England manager, Roy Hodgson, who called him up for the first time for a friendly against the Republic of Ireland and a UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying match against Slovenia.
In January 2016, a reported £4-million pound fee took him to Southampton, where scored on his league debut against Manchester United after coming on as a second half substitute for Sadio Mane to earn Saints a late victory.
In August 2019, the Berkshire-born marksman moved to West Bromwich Albion before returning back to Queens Park Rangers in January 2021, signing permanently for The Super Hoops in June of that year.
He was then snapped up by Australian side Brisbane Roar in June this term, where he went on to make eleven appearances, scoring four goals in all competitions.
He decided to end his Aussie adventure early though and return to England this month, opting to rejoin Swindon where it all began.
Town Technical Director, Sandro Di Michele, said: “I’m really happy to bring Charlie to the club.
“He’s a player that brings with him a huge amount of experience and time spent plying his trade at the highest level, and when the opportunity arises to sign a player of his calibre, you have to take it.
“We’re really excited to see what he can deliver on the pitch, but also how he’ll help develop and educate the younger lads in our squad.”
First-Team Head Coach, Scott Lindsey, said: “I’m delighted to have Charlie onboard and this is a really top signing for the football club.
“His career speaks for itself and he’s a natural goal scorer with a lot still to offer.
“His experience both on and off the pitch will be invaluable and play a key part in driving us forward for the remainder of the season.”
