Dele Alli has completed a move to Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed club-record transfer fee – but he will remain with the Dons on loan for the rest of the season.
The exceptionally-talented 18-year-old, who has been with the Dons since the age of 10 after progressing through the Dons’ academy set-up, has penned a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Premier League outfit.
However, as part of the agreement, Alli will spend the remainder of the 2014/15 campaign at MK1, where he will look to cap off his sensational Dons career in style.
Manager Robinson told mkdons.com: “We are immensely proud of Dele. He is one of many young and talented players to have progressed through the youth system here, which proves that the chairman’s vision of providing local children with a step into professional football is paying off.
“Over the past three years we have handed first-team debuts to Milton Keynes-based players such as George Williams and Brendan Galloway, who are both now playing at a higher level, as well as help the likes of Liverpool’s Sheyi Ojo earn international recognition - Dele is the latest to follow in that path.”
He continued: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to re-sign Dele and keep him with us for the rest of the season. Hopefully both he and us can share some more moments that will last a lifetime, before he moves on.”
Alli, regarded by many as one of the brightest prospects in English football, made his senior debut for the Club as a 16-year-old in an FA Cup first-round clash away at Cambridge United in November 2012. In the replay, Alli netted his first professional goal – a terrific strike from 30-yards.
Making a further five appearances that season, Alli fully broke into the first-team during 2013/14 – a campaign in which he featured 37 times and scored seven goals, including a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory away at Notts County.
Alli’s form has continued into this current campaign and, with thanks to another treble against Crewe Alexandra, he currently has 12 goals to his name, which is currently more than any other midfielder in English football’s top four divisions.
Alli added: “It was a difficult decision to leave a Club that I’ve been with since I was a boy because I’ve loved every minute of my time here. I’m really pleased that I’ve been given the opportunity to come back and finish this season – hopefully I can help us be successful.
“Nothing would make me happier than to help a club that’s given me so much reach the next level, which is where we belong. I owe so much to the manager, the Chairman, the staff and players, as well as the fans, who have all been terrific with me from day one.
He added: “I’m so excited about taking the next step in my career with a fantastic club like Tottenham Hotspur. It’s going to be a great challenge for me and it’s one that I’m really relishing. For now, though, my focus is solely on MK Dons and this Saturday’s game.”
However, as part of the agreement, Alli will spend the remainder of the 2014/15 campaign at MK1, where he will look to cap off his sensational Dons career in style.
Manager Robinson told mkdons.com: “We are immensely proud of Dele. He is one of many young and talented players to have progressed through the youth system here, which proves that the chairman’s vision of providing local children with a step into professional football is paying off.
“Over the past three years we have handed first-team debuts to Milton Keynes-based players such as George Williams and Brendan Galloway, who are both now playing at a higher level, as well as help the likes of Liverpool’s Sheyi Ojo earn international recognition - Dele is the latest to follow in that path.”
He continued: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to re-sign Dele and keep him with us for the rest of the season. Hopefully both he and us can share some more moments that will last a lifetime, before he moves on.”
Alli, regarded by many as one of the brightest prospects in English football, made his senior debut for the Club as a 16-year-old in an FA Cup first-round clash away at Cambridge United in November 2012. In the replay, Alli netted his first professional goal – a terrific strike from 30-yards.
Making a further five appearances that season, Alli fully broke into the first-team during 2013/14 – a campaign in which he featured 37 times and scored seven goals, including a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory away at Notts County.
Alli’s form has continued into this current campaign and, with thanks to another treble against Crewe Alexandra, he currently has 12 goals to his name, which is currently more than any other midfielder in English football’s top four divisions.
Alli added: “It was a difficult decision to leave a Club that I’ve been with since I was a boy because I’ve loved every minute of my time here. I’m really pleased that I’ve been given the opportunity to come back and finish this season – hopefully I can help us be successful.
“Nothing would make me happier than to help a club that’s given me so much reach the next level, which is where we belong. I owe so much to the manager, the Chairman, the staff and players, as well as the fans, who have all been terrific with me from day one.
He added: “I’m so excited about taking the next step in my career with a fantastic club like Tottenham Hotspur. It’s going to be a great challenge for me and it’s one that I’m really relishing. For now, though, my focus is solely on MK Dons and this Saturday’s game.”
