Young centre-back Sil Swinkels was the first acquisition on deadline day in the 2025 January transfer window when he joined the Pirates on loan from Aston Villa.

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 the Premier League side 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.