Charlie Austin has signed for AFC Totton following his exit from Swindon Town, as announced by their official club website
After the completion of the previous campaign, his contract with Swindon Town expired, and he has been considering his free agency possibilities.
Austin, 35, has now decided to join the Southern League Premier Division South runners-up by dropping into non-league play.
He stated on their website: “I know I can bring a lot of experience, having played at this sort of level at the beginning of my career, as well as in all four divisions of the professional league.” The main objective is for us to advance if my style of play can work well with the group and enable them to overcome the last obstacle.
“Non-league has generally improved over the past 15 years.” Many more players have participated in professional competition but are unable to secure contracts, returning to non-league play. The only upside to this is that non-league competition continues to grow and improve.
“I’m eager to take on the challenge. I might as well have retired and just slapped it on the head then if I was coming here half-heartedly, but I’m here prepared to play.
Over the previous few years, he played 68 appearances for the Robins across all competitions, scoring 23 goals.
He was originally signed by the Wiltshire club in 2010 as a youth player from Poole Town in the non-league, and in his first season, he scored 37 goals in 65 games.
After that, he played in the Premier League for West Brom, Southampton, QPR, Burnley, and other teams before moving to Australia.
Austin found the net on four occasions in 11 outings for Brisbane Roar when he went Down Under before deciding to move back home.
His deal at Swindon Town officially expired in late June and he has now decided to drop down a few leagues.
New home
AFC Totten are preparing for their upcoming Southern League Premier Division South season. They missed out on promotion last term despite finishing 2nd after losing on penalties in the play-offs to Salisbury.
Austin will significantly bolster their striking options and they will fancy their chances of going up next time around.
They are managed by ex-Forest Green Rovers boss Jimmy Ball.
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