Sil Swinkels stated that he is ‘excited’ to join Bristol Rovers after moving on loan from Aston Villa for the rest of the season.
The defender signed for the Lions from SBV Vitesse Arnhem in 2020, progressing through the academy and winning the FA Youth Cup with their U18s side in 2021.
Moving up to their U21s team, the Dutch defender has made two senior appearances for Villa, most recently playing in their 2-1 victory over Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup this term.
Discussing his move to the Gas ahead of Rovers’ 3-1 victory over Peterborough United on Sunday, Swinkels insisted that he is looking forward to getting started after speaking to Head Coach Iñigo Calderón and Director of Football George Friend.
“I’m very excited to be here,” said Swinkels. “Obviously, I can’t wait to get started, watching the boys later today, and 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 just really positive. They showed some really, really good signs and wanted to sign me. Also, having the experience of Lino Sousa here right now. I spoke to him for a bit, so that made me want to join the club and get going.”
The 21-year-old has been around Villa’s first team this season. The defender has featured on the bench in the Champions League and Premier League but is looking to gain regular senior appearances in the first loan move of his career.
“As a young lad coming through, I think it’s very important to get the experience, 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 the league,” he said.
“Personally, I just want to become a better player and show what I can do at this level. I want to help the club and contribute to many clean sheets and a lot of three points.”
Swinkels will not be the only Villa loanee playing for Rovers, with left-back Lino Sousa making 14 appearances in the third tier since joining from the Lions in the summer. The 21-year-old admitted he also spoke to Sousa before joining Rovers and confessed it made him want to make the move even more.
“It was funny,” he laughed. “I messaged him last week when it first came about, and we had the call. I was obviously messaging him to ask what it’s like, what the lads are like, what Bristol as a city is like, and he was very positive.
“Hearing that from a player rather than the staff as well is different. That made me want to join even more.”
Swinkels was at The Memorial Stadium to watch Rovers beat Peterborough 3-1 in Sky Bet League One. James Wilson, Isaac Hutchinson and Ruel Sotiriou all scored to help Rovers to their second straight victory at home, with the defender looking forward to playing in front of the fans.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “The pitch looks really good today. I can’t wait to be out there and show the fans what I can do.”
