FORMER Swindon Town loan star Adam El Abd is a free agent after exiting Championship side Bristol City by mutual consent.

Defender El Abd, who made 14 appearances during a popular temporary spell at the County Ground from October to January of last season, still had 12 months remaining on his three-and-a-half year Ashton Gate contract, but agreed a settlement package late last week.

The 31 year old joined City from Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2014 after more than 300 appearances and two promotions to the Championship with the south coast club.

But he spent the majority of City’s 2014/15 double-winning campaign on loan at Bury, whom he helped to promotion in the process, before stints with Town and Gillingham last season.

Former Egypt international El Abd left Town after a three-month loan spell during the January transfer window despite a verbal agreement having initially been in place for him to play at the County Ground for the rest of the campaign.

The player, a favourite among many Town supporters despite the brevity of his stay, later insisted that the reasons for his departure from Swindon had not been financial.