MK Dons have signed Wales Under-21 international Joe Walsh on loan from Crawley Town, with a view to a permanent deal.
Walsh, who can play at either left-back or at heart of the defence, will spend the remainder of the 2014/15 season at stadiummk and is eligible for Tuesday’s clash with Chesterfield.
The Dons also have the option to make the 22-year-old a permanent fixture in the summer.
Walsh was named Crawley Town’s Player of the Year in 2013/14, a season in which he played alongside now-Dons defender Kyle McFadzean. His impressive performances at club level have seen him become a part of the Wales senior side.
Speaking to mkdons.com, manager Robinson said: “We’ve known about Joe for a while and I was made up when I found out we could get it done. He’s out of contract in the summer but we’ve been given the chance to get him on loan immediately.
“Since Shaun Williams we haven’t had a left-footed defender and he will provide great cover at both left-back and in the centre. He’s only 22 years of age, he trains with the Welsh national team and he’s been in the squad a few times. He also won Young Player of the Year at Crawley Town twice in a row and the main Player of the Year award last season.”
Walsh began his career with Swansea as a 15-year-old and in his first season at the Liberty Stadium, he helped the Under-18s to FAW Youth Cup glory – the Swans beat rivals Cardiff City in the final.
Handed his first professional deal prior to the 2010/11 season, Walsh made his senior debut in a 3-0 victory over Barnet in August 2010. He would go on to make one further appearance for the Welsh outfit before joining Crawley Town in August 2012.
Walsh, who scored on his Reds debut, featured 35 times in his first reason with Crawley before adding a further 43 games and five goals to that total in 2013/14 – a season in which he was recognised by winning the top prize at the club’s end of season awards.
Although losing his partner in central defence, McFadzean, to the Dons months before the start of the 2014/15 season, Walsh has continued to impress in Crawley’s back four.
His excellent form for the Reds has seen him catch the eye of Wales boss Chris Coleman, who called Walsh into the senior squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers with Bosnia & Herzegovina and Cyprus in October 2014.
The Dons also have the option to make the 22-year-old a permanent fixture in the summer.
Walsh was named Crawley Town’s Player of the Year in 2013/14, a season in which he played alongside now-Dons defender Kyle McFadzean. His impressive performances at club level have seen him become a part of the Wales senior side.
Speaking to mkdons.com, manager Robinson said: “We’ve known about Joe for a while and I was made up when I found out we could get it done. He’s out of contract in the summer but we’ve been given the chance to get him on loan immediately.
“Since Shaun Williams we haven’t had a left-footed defender and he will provide great cover at both left-back and in the centre. He’s only 22 years of age, he trains with the Welsh national team and he’s been in the squad a few times. He also won Young Player of the Year at Crawley Town twice in a row and the main Player of the Year award last season.”
Walsh began his career with Swansea as a 15-year-old and in his first season at the Liberty Stadium, he helped the Under-18s to FAW Youth Cup glory – the Swans beat rivals Cardiff City in the final.
Handed his first professional deal prior to the 2010/11 season, Walsh made his senior debut in a 3-0 victory over Barnet in August 2010. He would go on to make one further appearance for the Welsh outfit before joining Crawley Town in August 2012.
Walsh, who scored on his Reds debut, featured 35 times in his first reason with Crawley before adding a further 43 games and five goals to that total in 2013/14 – a season in which he was recognised by winning the top prize at the club’s end of season awards.
Although losing his partner in central defence, McFadzean, to the Dons months before the start of the 2014/15 season, Walsh has continued to impress in Crawley’s back four.
His excellent form for the Reds has seen him catch the eye of Wales boss Chris Coleman, who called Walsh into the senior squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers with Bosnia & Herzegovina and Cyprus in October 2014.
