Former Swindon Town striker Elijah Adebayo has signed a two-year contract with Championship club Bristol City. The 28-year-old forward secured the permanent move this week after impressing during a summer trial period that included playing an hour against his old club in a pre-season friendly.
Adebayo's move comes as Swindon Town themselves have made a solid start to the League Two campaign. According to the latest standings, the Robins sit 7th with four points from their opening two matches, recording a win and a draw. They have scored two goals and conceded one, leaving them just two points behind early leaders Barnet.
How did Adebayo perform at Swindon Town?
Elijah Adebayo arrived at the Nigel Eady County Ground on a season-long loan from Fulham at the start of the 2018/19 campaign. The striker made 25 appearances for the club during his spell, finding the net five times. His most productive period saw him score four goals in a seven-game stretch. Those strikes included a late equaliser against Milton Keynes Dons and a match-winner on the road at Morecambe.
His time in Wiltshire was cut short in January, however. A change in management saw Richie Wellens replace Phil Brown, who is now in charge at Leyton Orient. Wellens grew frustrated with the player's timekeeping. The Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard reported that Wellens said "the striker was late to training every day during one week of his spell." This lateness was a big reason for Adebayo being sent back to his parent club early.
What has he done since leaving Swindon?
After his loan ended, Adebayo's career took a significant upward turn. He joined Luton Town, where he became an important figure. He helped the Hatters secure promotion to the Premier League and then netted double-figure goals in the top flight. Luton suffered relegation at the end of last season, and Adebayo was released, making him a free agent this summer.
His trial with Bristol City, a club described as a local rival to Swindon, proved successful. Playing against the Robins gave their staff a close look at him, and he did enough to earn a contract. The move represents a step back up to the Championship for the experienced forward.
Where does this leave Swindon Town currently?
While a former player moves on, Swindon's focus is firmly on their own season. The team's early form is promising, and they will be looking to their current attacking options to maintain momentum. Aaron Drinan leads the line as the club's top scorer, having netted 22 goals in 40 appearances last season. Fans can track the squad's progress and upcoming matches on our dedicated squad and fixtures pages.
The Adebayo story is a footnote in Swindon's history now, but it highlights the varied paths players can take after their time at the County Ground. For the Robins, the immediate task is building on their positive start and closing the narrow gap to the top of the table.
