Sil Swinkels profiled as Sheffield Wednesday close in on latest summer signing
Sheffield Wednesday could be set to further strengthen their defensive options with the addition of Aston Villa centre-back Sil Swinkels.
Sheffield Wednesday are understood to be making progress with their quest to sign Aston Villa defender Sil Swinkels.
The Star revealed on Tuesday afternoon that Swinkels had made his way onto the Owls’ radar amid their quest to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the upcoming 2026/27 campaign.
It was later reported by The Athletic that Villa were ‘finalising an agreement’ to sell Swinkels to the Owls. It was originally understood he could be moving to Hillsborough on loan.
The latest from The Athletic is that Villa and Wednesday are ‘finalising the payment structure of the deal’, suggesting it is edging closer to being finalised. Swinkels could undergo a medical within the next 48 hours.
With the likelihood of a move to Hillsborough increasing, The Star has produced a profile on Swinkels ahead of him potentially becoming Wednesday’s next signing of the summer transfer window.
Who is Sil Swinkels?
Swinkels is a 22-year-old defender who primarily plays as a centre-back. He joined Aston Villa’s academy in the summer of 2020, arriving from the Netherlands. He most recently signed a new contract at Villa Park in November 2024, but the length of it was not disclosed by Villa.
Swinkels is widely considered as an exciting, all-round centre-back, demonstrating that he is both good in the air and with the ball at his feet. He can also play at left-back.
What has he done so far?
Born in Sint-Oedenrode in the south of the Netherlands, the defender, as a youngster, spent time with Dutch clubs RKSV Rhode, Helmond Sport, Brabant United, and Vitesse Arnhem before moving to England and joining Villa’s academy six years ago.
He made his senior debut for Villa in January 2021, coming off the bench in a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup at Villa Park. Villa’s matchday squad was made up of youngsters because of a coronavirus outbreak that had swept through the first team squad.
Swinkels, the same season, helped Villa’s Under-18s win the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 2002, helping them beat Liverpool 2-1 in the final. The Dutchman started three of their six matches in the competition, including both the semi-final and the final.
After climbing the rungs of the Villa youth ladder and establishing himself as a regular for the club’s Under-21s, his progress was derailed in March 2023 when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in a 2-1 defeat to Southampton. He did not play again until the following April.
Following that setback, the defender made his second appearance for Villa’s first team in September 2024, starting their 2-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Although he did not feature, he was regularly named on the bench during Villa’s Champions League campaign prior to heading out on loan to Bristol Rovers in February 2025.
He made 14 appearances during his brief spell at the Memorial Stadium, scoring two goals, including one on his debut against Stockport County.
Swinkels then joined Exeter City on a season-long loan deal last July ahead of the start of the 2025/26 season. Villa recalled him after he made just 11 appearances for the Grecians and sent him to Chesterfield for the remainder of the season in January. He made 24 appearances for the Spireites - each of which were starts - as he helped them reach the League Two play-offs.
He has also represented the Netherlands for their Under-15s and U18s.
What has been said about him?
After joining Chesterfield on January 4, Swinkels, an hour after his arrival at the SMH Group Stadium had been confirmed, made his debut for the club, helping them recover from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with MK Dons at Stadium MK.
The former Netherlands youth international produced six clearances, made four interceptions and won seven of his ten aerial duels. His immediate impact earned praise from Chesterfield coach Gary Roberts, who said: “I thought Sil was an absolute monster at the back. He looked like he had been playing for us for a long time.”
Why would Wednesday want him?
Although Wednesday’s squad is in desperate need of work this summer, their centre-back department currently ranks as the strongest area of the squad. Following the arrival of Ricardo Santos from Swansea City last week and confirmation of Liam Cooper signing a new contract, Wednesday are now strong in numbers at the back.
Santos and Cooper have joined a centre-back pool that already consisted of Di’Shon Bernard, Gabriel Otegbayo, Ernie Weaver and Cole McGhee. Max Lowe, who is expected to sign a new deal at Hillsborough, and Liam Palmer can also operate at centre-back.
While Santos and Cooper each bring a wealth of experience, Swinkels, should Wednesday get a deal over the line, will provide a long-term option. Wednesday want to recruit a blend of experienced heads and youngsters who are in their development phase this summer, meaning Swinkles ticks the latter of those two boxes.
Manager Henrik Pedersen is understood to want to add more athleticism and energy to his team, making Swinkels, who will not celebrate his 23rd birthday until January, a suitable fit.