FORMER Swindon Town midfielder Fitzroy Simpson insists his son Jordan is going to embrace his challenge at Forest Green.

Interest was also shown by Stoke City's U23 side, as well as several Championship sides for the teenage midfielder, who recently signed his first professional contract with Town last month, but decided to switch to League Two rivals Forest Green on a two-year contract, with the option of a further year.

With the 18-year-old having been part of the County Ground club’s academy system since the age of six, his father admitted the decision to move elsewhere was a big one but wanted to thank the club and manager David Flitcroft for not standing in the player’s way, with the Swindon Advertiser understanding that no fee was involved, with no compensation or sell-on percentage included either.

Fitzroy Simpson told the Swindon Advertiser: “I would like to thank everyone concerned with Swindon,” said  Simpson, who is also his son’s agent.

“David Flitcroft was honest with me, because I have known him a long time, and his main focus, and I totally agree, is promotion back to League One, and he felt that Jordan wouldn’t get much game time with the senior lads he has brought in in that position.

“I think it was the honourable thing for David to do, to inform us and try and give us time to try and find opportunities elsewhere.

“It was a tough decision for Jordan. He put the jersey on but didn’t get on the park for the senior team, which would have been his dream.

“We thank the club for the opportunity and Jordan wants to thank (Academy manager) Jeremy Newton for 12-and-a-half years he put in, he became a friend during that time, and Alan McLoughlin (U18s manager), for the work he has done with him.

“Jordan is now going to embrace this challenge.”