Billy Kirkman has become the final out-of-contract player to agree to a new one-year contract to remain with Swindon Town.
After the retained list had him as the only Swindon player still in negotiations, Kirkman has finally committed his future to the Nigel Eady County Ground to remain as part of Ian Holloway's squad.
Kirkman was someone that Swindon were keen to remain with the club due to his capability as a strong squad player for the level, and, at 22, with the potential to kick on and continue his development into a starting player.
The Adver understands that Kirkman agreed to his new contract at the beginning of this week, but has not officially signed it as he is away on holiday.
Whilst the 22-year-old has always been keen on remaining with Swindon, he wanted to be assured of the chance to play first-team football next season, something he did not get much of in 2025/26.
The defender is the last to sign, because he was investigating other opportunities in the National League, where he could have been a regular player, but has ultimately decided that he wanted to stay with Town.
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That means that all five of the out-of-contract players that Swindon offered deals to have remained, with Ollie Clarke, Lewis Ward, Ryan Tafazolli, and Harry Smith having previously penned new contracts for next season.
Kirkman having signed up for another season is an indication that Holloway may be leaning towards playing a back three next year, as he believes that his best position is on the left side of a three-man defence.
However, his versatility makes him a useful part of what will be a smaller squad next year, because he can also play as a left-back in a back four, or at left wing-back in a back three.
It is this ability that made him especially appealing to Swindon, alongside his potential, which saw them take a chance on him from The New Saints after impressing on trial in 2024.
Speaking about Kirkman in April, Holloway said: “He's growing into a wonderful person, and that's how I start with people. It's not about being a wonderful player, it's about being the person. And ever since we brought him back from Weston, he's done him and his family proud.
“He knows where he is with me. He knows how proud I am of him and his development, and he's been a complete and total plus. He has more or less gone under the radar; everybody shouts about Joel McGregor, but wow, where we got Billy from, and what he's done for this club is amazing.
“We've had the discussion [about his position], but he still needs to get in the team to establish himself on a regular basis. He needs to understand that himself and bring his A game every minute of every game.”
After the departure of Jake Batty, Kirkman is presently the only player in this position in the squad, although Swindon will go about looking to find another this summer.
