Ex-Swindon Town defender Cian Harries joins National League club

Harries has agreed a one-year deal with the Shots following his lone season in Wiltshire where he played just seven times for the Robins in all competitions.

The 26-year-old will join back up with manager Tommy Widdrington after the pair worked together while at Bristol Rovers.

Prior to playing 56 times for the Gas, Harries spent the 2019-20 campaign at Eredevisie outfit, Fortuna Sittard but featured just nine times – although he did score a goal.

Having suffered an injury-hit career to date, the Welshman struggled to hold down a place at Coventry City and Swansea City before his time in the Netherlands, playing 17 times for the Sky Blues and making half a dozen appearances for the Jacks.

Harries started just a couple of League Two games during his time at Swindon – the first being a 1-1 draw at home to Tranmere Rovers while the second, a 1-0 loss to Crewe Alexandra, ended after half an hour due to an injury.

In two EFL Trophy starts, the latter also ended before the full-time whistle as Harries collected a second yellow card five minutes from time.

His sole League Cup appearance was an excellent individual performance against Walsall – of which he played the full match – while he featured for the final 23 minutes of Swindon’s 4-0 reverse at Stockport County in the FA Cup.

Upon signing for his new club, he told the Aldershot media team: “I’m delighted to get it over the line and get back working with the gaffer.

“I’m really excited for this season with this football club, and taking steps in the right direction and looking up.

“It’s nice to know where I am this year. I didn’t sign for Swindon until they’d gone back in for pre-season, and you’re almost playing catch up a little bit.

“To get this sorted, and to get my feet under the table, and to get my teeth into pre-season is something I’m excited by.

“I’ve had a few disrupted pre-seasons for numerous reasons over the past few years, so this will be my first pre-season in about four seasons.

“I’m excited to get through the six weeks and be fit and raring to go come the first game in August.”