Swindon Town have strengthened their ranks for the 2026/27 campaign by securing season-long loans for forward Joseph Hungbo from Wigan Athletic and defender Sam Inwood from Bolton Wanderers.
The deals, confirmed over the past 24 hours, come as manager Ian Holloway prepares his side for the start of the League Two season. Hungbo, who made 39 appearances across all competitions for Wigan last term, brings attacking options and pace to the Robins’ forward line. The 20-year-old Northern Ireland youth international Inwood arrives after a loan spell at Aldershot Town, adding depth at the back.
These arrivals follow a challenging pre-season marked by an unusually high number of injuries. Swindon were forced to field a mixed squad for their final friendly against Forest Green Rovers on 1 August after deciding to rest first-team players. Despite the disruption, the side produced a strong performance, winning 4-1 away from home. Goals from Aaron Drinan, a brace by Paul Glatzel and a strike from Ben Middlemas underlined the attacking potential available even without the full senior group.
Holloway had previously spoken of the need to protect key personnel ahead of competitive fixtures. The Carabao Cup first-round clash with Championship side Cardiff City is scheduled for this Saturday, 8 August, before the League Two campaign opens away at Northampton Town on 15 August.
Last season Swindon finished ninth in League Two with 75 points, recording 22 wins and scoring 70 goals. Holloway has been active in the transfer market this summer, bringing in centre-back Stephan Negru on a free transfer from Oxford United, midfielder Matty Virtue from Fleetwood Town, and other additions aimed at improving defensive solidity after the side conceded the most goals among the top half of the table in 2025/26.
The new loans are expected to help address squad depth issues that became apparent during pre-season. Several players suffered injuries in friendlies against Bristol City and Leyton Orient, prompting the club’s decision to prioritise recovery over the Forest Green fixture. Supporters who had bought tickets for that match were assured the game would still go ahead with a Swindon Town XI.
Hungbo and Inwood will now begin integrating with their new teammates as Holloway fine-tunes his plans for the opening weeks. The manager has emphasised the importance of building momentum early, particularly with a demanding schedule that includes the cup tie against Cardiff and the trip to Sixfields.
Optimism remains high among the County Ground faithful following a solid end to the previous campaign and the arrival of experienced and youthful reinforcements. With the transfer window still open, further additions cannot be ruled out, but the double loan capture provides immediate options as competitive action approaches.
Swindon will hope the new signings can settle quickly and contribute to a promotion push in what is expected to be another competitive League Two season. Attention now turns to Saturday’s cup assignment and the subsequent league opener, where Holloway’s rebuilt squad will face its first true tests of the new term.