Bristol Rovers is delighted to confirm the signing of Sil Swinkels on loan from Aston Villa.
Defender Swinkels joins the Gas from the Premier League side on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season.
The 21-year-old has made two senior appearances for Villa and has been a regular for the team's U21s since joining from SBV Vitesse Arnhem in 2020.
"I’m very excited to be here,” Swinkels said. “I just can’t wait to get started and get some games under my belt.
"I had a call with George Friend and Iñigo Calderón and that was really positive. They showed some really, really good signs and wanted to sign me. Also, with Lino Sousa having the experience of being here right now, I also spoke to him for a bit and that made me want to join the Club and get going.
"As a young lad coming through, I think it’s very important to get the experience of playing senior football and I think Bristol Rovers is a great fit now to finally get that experience and prove myself and see what I can do in League One."
Head Coach Iñigo Calderón said: “I am pleased to welcome Sil to Bristol Rovers.
“Sil has already shown his ability, his power and technical ability, all of which he has in abundance for a 21-year-old, and we are looking forward to having him with us for the rest of the season and helping him to develop even further towards his full potential.”
Born in Sint-Oedenrode in January 2004, Swinkels represented RKSV Rhode, Helmond Sport, Brabant United and Vitesse at youth level before completing a switch to Aston Villa in 2020.
The defender made his first team debut for the Villans in January 2021, featuring in an FA Cup third round defeat against Liverpool.
Swinkels became a regular for the Villa U18s and was part of the side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2021, beating Liverpool 2-1 in the final, before signing his first professional terms in August of the same year.
Stepping up to U21s level, Swinkels helped the young Villa team reach the Premier League 2 play-offs and win the Birmingham Senior Cup in 2024, claiming a 9-0 victory in the final over Racing Club Warwick.
Swinkels made the second of his two senior appearances for Villa in September 2024, featuring for Unai Emery's side in a 2-1 Carabao Cup victory against Wycombe Wanderers.
Everyone at Bristol Rovers would like to warmly welcome Sil to the Club and wish him every success for his loan spell with the Gas.
