League One side Milton Keynes Dons have completed the signing of Cambridge United defender Harry Darling.
The 21-year-old arrives as Stadium MK on a -year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Cambridge have confirmed that there is a sell-on clause in the defender’s Dons contract and that their valuation of Darling was met after several failed bids from the third tier side.
MK Dons Sign Harry Darling From Cambridge United
Harry Darling is a Don ✍️#DonDeal pic.twitter.com/XaJJr2ddKn
— MK Dons (@MKDonsFC) January 22, 2021
What Was Said?
Darling told the club website: “As soon as I heard about the move here I wanted to get it done. This is a great club and I’m excited to get going.
“Russ [Martin] has shown full confidence in me. The way he wants to play football suits me down to the ground. I see myself as a ball-playing centre-back, but one who prides himself on keeping clean sheets too.
“I’m an ambitious person and I think this Club suits me in that aspect. I just can’t wait to meet my teammates and get started.”
Dons manager Russell Martin added: “Harry is a player we have been keeping tabs on for some time. We’ve watched a lot of him, particularly in the last few months and he’s been our number one target at this position.
“It’s an important position with the way we want to play and we’ve been able to go and get one of the best central defenders in League Two and one of the best young talents at this level.
“We were looking towards the summer as a time to bring him in but, with Richard leaving, it sped that process up. The Chairman, Andy and Liam have worked very hard to get this deal done.
Darling’s Career So Far
Darling is a product of the youth academy at Cambridge but signed for Newmarket Town when he was let go.
However, he re-joined the club a few years later and made his professional debut as a 17-year-old during the 2016/17 season.
So far, made 73 senior appearances during his career, with 20 of those coming this season for a Cambridge side that are currently leading the way in League Two.
Darling has also had loan spells in non-league with Bishop’s Stortford, Hampton & Richmond Borough, East Thurrock United and Royston Town.
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