Premier League cult hero set for 14th career transfer as he wakes up jobless after being released from League Two side

FORMER Premier League cult hero Charlie Austin has been released by Swindon Town.

The League Two club announced that Austin had been released from their retained and released list on the club’s website this morning.

Austin, 34, will now be a free agent and will be available to make his 14th career move if he decides to continue playing.

The striker spent just a season and a half at The Robins after joining Australian side Brisbane Roar in January 2023.

It was Austin’s second spell at the club after starting his professional career with Swindon in 2011 during their League One days.

The Englishman has made over 100 Premier League appearances for QPR, Southampton and West Brom and scored 34 times in the process.

But now he will have to look for a new home to continue his goalscoring exploits.

Austin has managed a successful individual campaign this season for Swindon, scoring 12 goals and registering 6 assists in the league.

He wore the captain’s armband for most of his second 18-month spell at the club, but saw the team struggle to perform well, finishing 19th in the league table.

Austin managed to score two goals in what proved to be his last game in a Swindon shirt, a 3-3 draw with Morecambe.

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He has since released a statement on his Instagram thanking the club and fans for his return.

It said: “Well… It seems my time in Swindon town has come to an end…

“It was an absolute pleasure to play for my first professional club, to have the privilege of being captain and to score my 200th career goal in red.

“The boys have been fantastic, I have enjoyed playing with you all and this time I have made great friends, friendships that will stand the test of time and football.

“I hope you know, even if I’m not on the field, I’m always off it!

“Swindon is a club that is close to my heart, I watched games there as a child with friends and family, as did my wife, it was where I was born.

“And I hope it was clear that whenever I wore the shirt I always said and did what I believed was best for the club (even if it was controversial at times). I’ve always been honest – that’s because I care.

“Thank you, Clem, for giving me the opportunity to come back. I hope the great club you imagine and the great club we all know, Swindon, can return as soon as possible.

“To the fans, thank you for all your support during this and last stint.

“You were and always have been incredible fans, who go deep and support the team even when things are difficult.

“I know some people never got over their anger at me leaving the first time, but like anyone, it was natural for me to want to progress in my career and luckily it paid off.

“I’m sure I’ll see you all again somewhere… As you saw on Saturday, there’s still a lot of life in the old dog!! 32 – gone.”

“My performances have sometimes been good, some below average, but believe me, I really appreciate your [the fans’] support.

“What you did for me at the end of the game, I will always cherish.”

Austin was not the only star to be released by Swindon, with a former Chelsea academy prospect also seeing his time at the club come to an end.

George McEachran, who won the Under-17 World Cup with England alongside Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho, was also released by Swindon.