Oran Jackson has put pen-to-paper on his first professional deal with MK Dons.
The 17-year-old signs a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months, which will enable him to continue his development at Stadium MK.
The versatile youngster, who has been with the Club since the age of nine, made his senior debut against Nottingham Forest on the final day of last season and has spent pre-season training with Karl Robinson’s first-team.
Speaking to mkdons.com, Jackson said: “I’m over the moon – it hasn’t sunk in yet. I’ve still got to process it but I’m looking forward to continuing to play my football.
“It’s been a testing month with the first-team but I used my off-season wisely and came back a lot stronger than I was last season – hopefully I’ve proved that in training and in the games.
“It was great to make my debut last season and I’m just working now to get more minutes in that environment.
“I don’t want to get comfortable and live off this first contract – I’m going to keep pushing.”
Manager Robinson said: “A lot of clubs give their contracts out very early in order to protect their players because of the new EPPP structure, but this is certainly not the case with Oran – he deserves it.
“Whenever a young player comes through, they’ll be compared to those who have gone before but they are all different and that goes for Oran too.
“He’s got so much to learn but he’s a special talent, who has the potential to be a top, top player. He’s a good kid as well and I know how much he wants it.
“He was top of the group in pre-season. He’s still a scholar but he’s been given a squad number with us. His job now is to force his way into the side, but he will play certain games with the youth team despite this deal – there has been a very clear development plan put in front of him.”
Director of Youth Mike Dove, who has worked with Jackson since his arrival at the Club, added: “I’m really pleased and excited for Oran - he is a very respectful young man, who has worked really hard to get to this point.
“He had a good first year with us and caught the eye, which gave him his opportunity with the first-team at the end of last season. I know he has impressed, particularly in training, with his attitude.
“I’m chuffed to bits to see another young player get an opportunity to move forward into the professional game with the Club.”
Jackson becomes the 18th Academy star to sign professional terms with the Dons, and the third to do so in 2016 after Callum Brittain and Connor Furlong.
The versatile youngster, who has been with the Club since the age of nine, made his senior debut against Nottingham Forest on the final day of last season and has spent pre-season training with Karl Robinson’s first-team.
Speaking to mkdons.com, Jackson said: “I’m over the moon – it hasn’t sunk in yet. I’ve still got to process it but I’m looking forward to continuing to play my football.
“It’s been a testing month with the first-team but I used my off-season wisely and came back a lot stronger than I was last season – hopefully I’ve proved that in training and in the games.
“It was great to make my debut last season and I’m just working now to get more minutes in that environment.
“I don’t want to get comfortable and live off this first contract – I’m going to keep pushing.”
Manager Robinson said: “A lot of clubs give their contracts out very early in order to protect their players because of the new EPPP structure, but this is certainly not the case with Oran – he deserves it.
“Whenever a young player comes through, they’ll be compared to those who have gone before but they are all different and that goes for Oran too.
“He’s got so much to learn but he’s a special talent, who has the potential to be a top, top player. He’s a good kid as well and I know how much he wants it.
“He was top of the group in pre-season. He’s still a scholar but he’s been given a squad number with us. His job now is to force his way into the side, but he will play certain games with the youth team despite this deal – there has been a very clear development plan put in front of him.”
Director of Youth Mike Dove, who has worked with Jackson since his arrival at the Club, added: “I’m really pleased and excited for Oran - he is a very respectful young man, who has worked really hard to get to this point.
“He had a good first year with us and caught the eye, which gave him his opportunity with the first-team at the end of last season. I know he has impressed, particularly in training, with his attitude.
“I’m chuffed to bits to see another young player get an opportunity to move forward into the professional game with the Club.”
Jackson becomes the 18th Academy star to sign professional terms with the Dons, and the third to do so in 2016 after Callum Brittain and Connor Furlong.
