Ireland under-19 midfielder Canice Carroll joins Swindon Town on loan

Republic of Ireland under-19 international Canice Carroll has joined Swindon Town on loan from Brentford until the end of the season.

The Oxford native, who can play all across defence and midfield, has been on the books at Griffin Park since joining from his hometown club in the summer.

19-year-old Carroll, who was nominated for under-17 international player of the year in 2016, was part of the Ireland under-19 side that narrowly missed out on qualification for Euro 2018.

He came through the ranks with Oxford United and made his senior debut for the then-League Two side in November 2015 and established himself as a regular in 2017/18 before joining the Bees.

“I’m happy to join and it’s good to do mid-way through the season,” Carroll told the Robins’ website.

“I’ve seen where the club is, sitting in mid-table but not too far away from the play-offs. I’m raring to go.

“Swindon’s a big club and shouldn’t be looked at as a League Two club, when I was growing up it was predominantly a solid League One club and that was an attraction to play for a big club.

“Being from Ireland and being an international, Noel Hunt being here was a big plus and something to look forward to, in terms of working.

“Both he and the Gaffer have only recently finished playing so being a player is still fresh in their mind. I think that’ll help because being a young player is not that alien to them still.”

Hunt added: “He’s a good player and we watched him a number of times.

“He can play in a number of positions: centre-half, midfield, right-back. He’s a player we can use anywhere across the back line and in midfield.

“He’s got plenty of energy and someone that will add something to our squad.”