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After Town boss Paolo di Canio initially spoke of his admiration for Rooney in the build up to Swindon's game with Gillingham in November 2011, and then annoyed his Gillingham counterpart Andy Hessenthaler with his suggestion that he was keen on Rooney after the midfielder refused a contract offer from the Gills later in the same month, di Canio finally got his man in the January transfer window - signing the wideman on a two-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee, after an initial bid was rejected. After admitting that the chance to join Swindon was "too good an opportunity to turn down", Rooney made his debut as a second half substitute against Macclesfield four days after signing, and he made an immediate impact - providing the inswinging cross for Paul Benson to head home the winning goal. Rooney's full debut came in the Town's next game, when di Canio opted to play both attacking wingers for a crucial promotion clash at Southend - with the left-footed Matt Ritchie on the right side, and right-footed Rooney on the left, the plan worked a treat - Swindon putting on one of their best performances of the season to win 4-1, and leapfrog the Shrimpers into the promotion places. The next five games resulted in five more wins - taking Rooney's record to seven out of seven - his first goal for the Town coming in mid-February, when he converted from a central position after Alessandro Cibocchi's free-kick against Crawley had come back off the post. After Rooney's eighth game ended in a 2-0 reverse at Oxford, bringing a ten match winning streak to an end, the winger was dropped to the bench for the next game against Dagenham - but after being introduced in the second half, he set up two goals and scored one for himself, as the Town cantered to a 4-0 win. He was reinstated to the starting eleven for the next two games, but when less than convincing performances against Cheltenham and Crewe coincided with the signing of Lee Holmes on loan, Rooney shared the spot on the left flank with him for the remainder of the season, with di Canio becoming seemingly more critical of his performances, particularly at Morecambe, when he substituted Rooney in the first half. As Swindon edged closer to promotion, Rooney was one of four players left out of the trip to his former club Gillingham after di Canio found out about a late-night drinking session that he considered to be 'celebrating too early' - and the Town sealed their ascent despite the 3-1 reverse at Priestfield. When the group of players apologised for their antics, they were all considered again for selection - Rooney making a late substitute appearance as Swindon wrapped up the League Two title with a 5-0 victory over Port Vale, and the following weekend's finale at Bradford. PLAYING RECORD:
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