Loan To Swindon and Permanent Basis
After Danny Wilson failed to secure Ritchie's services on a permanent deal during the transfer window, it was announced on 11 February 2010 that Swindon Town signed the midfielder on loan for the remainder of the season. Following his loan move to Swindon, he made his debut on 23 February against Stockport County after coming on for Danny Ward after 25 minutes.
After making brief appearance at Pompey and on 4 October, Ritchie was loaned again to Swindon Town, in a one month deal. Two weeks later the deal was extended to two months. Ritchie scored his first goal for Swindon against Peterborough United in a 5–4 loss which followed up scoring his second against Bournemouth in a 2–1 loss and his third goal was a 4–2 win over Charlton Athletic. Ritchie made 16 appearance and scoring three during his loan spell with Swindon twice.
On 7 January 2011, Swindon Town signed Ritchie on a two-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee. Ritchie added to his tally with the goal 2010–11 season against Bournemouth again in a 3–2 loss, 4–1 loss against Southampton, 1–1 draw against Hartlepool United and 2–1 loss against Notts County. Despite Swindon Town relegation to League Two, Ritchie was named the Robins' player of the season.
Under manager Paolo Di Canio in League Two, Ritchie retain his first team place in the starting eleven and on scoring forms with ten goals this season. During the season, Ritchie was linked with clubs in League One, with the likes of Bournemouth. After Bournemouth's bid for Ritchie was rejected, Manager Di Canio quoted that Ritchie is worth about £2 million. In March, He won the Football League Two player of the year for 2012. Even good news for Ritchie, when he, along with Paul Caddis, was named PFA League Two Team of the Year. At the end of the season, Swindon Town was promoted back to League One.
Ahead of a new season in League One, Swindon turned down a £900,000 offer from a League One club for Ritchie, insisting he will be sold for £2.5 million. Shortly after, Richie signed a new contract, keeping him until 2014. Ahead of a match against his former club, Ritchie says he can't wait to face against Pompey and in which, Ritchie scored in a 2-1 win During the match, Ritchie says the match was a mixed emotions for Ritchie when he scored and refused to celebrate against his former club. Soon in both club meet again, Ritchie set up two goals in a 5-0 win on 1 January 2013. In the January transfer window, Ritchie is subjected of a transfer move to Crystal Palace.
Read more about this topic: Matt Ritchie, Career
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For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
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