Sil joined City on loan midway through the 2025 summer transfer window, becoming Gary Caldwell's seventh addition to his squad.

The 21-year-old Dutchman, who made under-15 and under-18 appearances for his country, joined from Aston Villa, having spent the second half of last season on loan at Bristol Rovers in League One. With experience in the third tier already, he made 18 appearances for the Gas, scoring twice including a stoppage time goal on his debut against Stockport County. 

Having spent his youth career at various local clubs in the Netherlands, Swinkels joined Villa from Vitesse Arnhem as a 17-year old and made an unexpected first team debut for the Villains when a COVID outbreak forced a youthful side to face Liverpool in the FA Cup.

The 6'3" centre-half has played over 70 times for Villa’s youth teams at both under-18 and under-21 level, and was part of the side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2021 and Birmingham Senior Cup in 2024. He also appeared in their first team last season, starting a League Cup victory against Wycombe Wanderers in September.