New Swindon Town midfielder Ollie Clarke said that he was “desperate” to get the move done when he heard of the interest in him.

The 31-year-old became Town’s first signing of the summer when he arrived from Mansfield Town for an undisclosed fee.

Clarke, who won promotion from League Two with Mansfield last season, said that he was very keen on making the move to Swindon happen.

Speaking to club media, he said: “The timing [of the move] was perfect because I just found out that Mansfield were going to trigger my extension and so it was a good time for me to go in and speak to them and see if I could explore this option.

“They [Mansfield] have been brilliant, it is a move back down South for me, closer to home with family and it was something I was desperate to do.

“There are one or two things you have to finalise with contracts and clubs negotiating but as soon as I heard about it, I was desperate to get it done and I am buzzing to be here.

“I have played here a few times and so I have been to the stadium, but when you come here and have a proper look around and see the facilities and everything that is going on, it is a big club.”

Having earned promotion twice before from this level, with Mansfield and Bristol Rovers, Clarke said that he was hoping to fight to do the same again now that he had joined Swindon.

He said: “This is going to be a season where everyone wants to progress at the club and I want to be a part of that.

“I want to help the team move forward, you can see that there is quality here already, you just need to add bits of quality here and there and a bit of experience.

“I have played a lot of games at this level, so I want to come here and help the lads and do my best.

“I want to see us challenging at the top end, I want us to be in the playoffs, and I want to be fighting for the right things.

“Personally, I want to play as many games as I can and get goals and assists to put wins on the board for this club, it is a massive club and it deserves to be higher up the pyramid.”