Swindon have signed experienced defender Ben Purkiss
Wednesday 28 June 2017 20:21, UK
Swindon have signed experienced defender Ben Purkiss following his departure from Port Vale.
The 33-year-old will officially join the Robins on July 1 on a free transfer when his contract at Vale Park has expired.
He said manager David Flitcroft and the ambition of the club played a big role in him signing at the County Ground.
"First and foremost, the gaffer and his assistant have got a track record of success in this league and I've played against their teams in the league above," Purkiss told the club's official website.
"I know what they are about and they are driven, they are winners, they know how to win and they have a good track record of winning.
"That's why I'm here. I'm here to have a successful season with one target in mind. The target this season will be to get promoted.
"There will be a lot of teams in the league who will want to get promoted but there's a difference between saying you want to get promoted and putting that into action.
"The club are showing that ambition at the moment, there has been an investment in the playing squad, there has been an investment in the manager and there's the commitment from the gaffer and his assistant who are moving down to establish a side in their image."
Purkiss began his career at Sheffield United in 2003 and has also played for Gainsborough, York, Oxford, Darlington, Hereford and Walsall, making over 400 career appearances.
Swindon also confirmed the signing of defender Olly Lancashire on a two-year deal.
Lancashire left Shrewsbury on Wednesday evening after his contract was terminated by mutual consent before agreeing to sign for Flitcroft's side.
The former Southampton defender told swindontownfc.co.uk: "I'm very happy to be here. You want to win silverware as a footballer and the last time I was in League Two I won promotion with Rochdale, so I'll be looking to do the same here."
Lancashire becomes the fifth new addition to the squad following the arrival of Chris Robertson, James Dunne and Paul Mullin earlier this month.
The 28-year-old started his career at St Mary's and also played for Walsall, Aldershot and Rochdale before joining Shrewsbury at the start of last season - where he made 21 appearances in all competitions.
