CHELSEA’S former Southampton Tyro League midfielder John Swift has joined Swindon Town on loan for the rest of the season and made his debut in Saturday’s 2-2 League One draw at Fleetwood Town.

The 19-year-old, a product of Totton-based Pace Youth FC, is on his second loan spell away from Stamford Bridge having spent time at Rotherham United earlier this term.

A box-to-box midfielder, Portsmouth-born Swift, who lived in Gosport until the age of 16, signed his first professional contract for the Blues in 2012.

He was an integral part of the Chelsea side which won the Barclays Under-21 Premier League last term and impressed in the UEFA Youth League.

Swift has represented England through from under-16 to under-20 level and his eye-catching form was rewarded when Jose Mourinho handed him his first-team debut at Cardiff City on the final day of 2013/14 Premier League season. Swift made an instant impact for Swindon on Saturday, skipping past five Fleetwood defenders before being brought down to win his new club a first-half penalty which Michael Smith failed to convert.

The young Robins slipped 2-0 down before late goals from Andy Williams and Louis Thompson bagged them a share of the spoils, moving them top on goal difference from Bristol City.

“It was a good debut,” said Swift. “I’ve only had two sessions with the team, but I know three of the boys from England – (Saints loanee) Jack Stephens, Jordan Turnbull, Harry Toffolo – so I got along with them straight away.”

Swindon have also been linked with a move for Gosport Borough’s prolific former Saints striker Matt Paterson.

But reports from Wiltshire suggest that another non-League frontman, Redditch United’s Jermaine Hylton, is top of the Robins’ January shopping list.

Asked if he was likely to bring in any other players during the transfer window, Swindon boss Mark Cooper said: “Probably not, no. We have put in an approach for the boy (Hylton) at Redditch and, if we get that one done, that will be us.”