Former Town loan trio make club moves

THREE former Cheltenham Town loanees secured deadline day moves taking them up the football pyramid.

Central defender Joe Rodon, who appeared for the Robins during 2017/18, has left Swansea City to join Tottenham on a five-year deal.

The Premier League club have paid an initial £11m plus add-ons for the 22-year-old Wales international.

Meanwhile goalkeeper Dillon Phillips, who played a major part in Cheltenham’s 2015/16 National League title success, has left Charlton Athletic for Cardiff City.

Phillips, 25, has agreed a three-year deal with the Championship club, who have paid an undisclosed fee for his services.

It is understood that Birmingham, who signed Neil Etheridge from Cardiff City earlier this summer, and Middlesbrough were also keen on Phillips’ signature.

He had been with Charlton since the age of eight and was player of the year last season as they suffered relegation to League One.

Phillips told Wales Online: “I’m coming in to compete with the other two goalkeepers and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Another former loan goalkeeper, Jack Butland, returned to the Premier League, joining Crystal Palace on a three-year deal. The Eagles have paid Stoke City £1m.

Butland spent most of the 2011/12 campaign with Cheltenham during his time at Birmingham City, making 24 appearances before going on to play for England.

He was given his senior international debut by Palace boss Roy Hodgson in 2012 and has nine caps.

Butland joined Stoke in January 2013 and went on to spend time on loan at Barnsley, Leeds and Derby County.

He was understudy to Jordan Pickford for England at the 2018 World Cup but lost his number one spot at Stoke to Wales goalkeeper Adam Davies this season.

He will battle with Vicente Guaita and Wayne Hennessey for a first-team place.