Dele Alli was named PFA Young Player of the Year last week but back at stadiummk, his former home, two fellow Academy products’ professional careers are just beginning.
Callum Brittain and Connor Furlong have both been offered professional contracts by the Dons and will become part of the first-team squad for the 2016/17 season.
“It’s a great feeling knowing I’m a professional footballer,” Brittain told mkdons.com. “I’ve been here a long time so it’s great to be in this position – I just can’t wait for next season.”
Furlong added: “I’m buzzing, too. When they (Karl Robinson and Mike Dove) told me I was going to become a pro it was overwhelming because this is what I’ve wanted since I was seven or eight years old.”
The pair have already started training with Robinson’s squad, just as they will on a full-time basis from the summer, and Furlong feels this period will only prove beneficial.
“It’s a time when we can show the manager and the players what we’re about before pre-season.”
“It’s a great feeling knowing I’m a professional footballer,” Brittain told mkdons.com. “I’ve been here a long time so it’s great to be in this position – I just can’t wait for next season.”
Furlong added: “I’m buzzing, too. When they (Karl Robinson and Mike Dove) told me I was going to become a pro it was overwhelming because this is what I’ve wanted since I was seven or eight years old.”
The pair have already started training with Robinson’s squad, just as they will on a full-time basis from the summer, and Furlong feels this period will only prove beneficial.
“It’s a time when we can show the manager and the players what we’re about before pre-season.”
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The Academy Supporters' Draw is a scheme
Brittain added: “Seeing what players have gone on to do from here is definitely inspiring. It gives me the belief that if I can put in the hard work then it could be me playing professional football week-in, week-out.”
“Seeing the amount of people we’ve brought through the Academy and those who have gone on to start good careers, with Dele being the main one, gives us something to look forward to and work towards,” Furlong commented.
Brittain and Furlong become the seventh and eighth Academy graduates to sign professional contracts by the Dons in the past three years and the duo don’t have to look too far for inspiration, given the recent successes of the aforementioned Alli as well as Brendan Galloway and Sheyi Ojo, who started in the Dons’ youth set-up.
“I now know how much expectation there is on you to perform every weekend. It’s a step up but I’m loving the intensity – I’m really enjoying it.”
He said: “It’s been very good. It’s given me a look into what the first-team is like, so I know what to expect in future.
Not only has Brittain been training with the first-team recently, he’s also been involved in the matchday squads for the past few weeks – an experience which has aided the young winger. which provides a chance to win back the price of your Season Ticket.
All the income from the draw is ploughed into resources to help the identification, development and coaching of the best home-grown talents.
Click here for more information on the Academy Supporters' Draw!
The Academy Supporters' Draw is a scheme
Brittain added: “Seeing what players have gone on to do from here is definitely inspiring. It gives me the belief that if I can put in the hard work then it could be me playing professional football week-in, week-out.”
“Seeing the amount of people we’ve brought through the Academy and those who have gone on to start good careers, with Dele being the main one, gives us something to look forward to and work towards,” Furlong commented.
Brittain and Furlong become the seventh and eighth Academy graduates to sign professional contracts by the Dons in the past three years and the duo don’t have to look too far for inspiration, given the recent successes of the aforementioned Alli as well as Brendan Galloway and Sheyi Ojo, who started in the Dons’ youth set-up.
“I now know how much expectation there is on you to perform every weekend. It’s a step up but I’m loving the intensity – I’m really enjoying it.”
He said: “It’s been very good. It’s given me a look into what the first-team is like, so I know what to expect in future.
Not only has Brittain been training with the first-team recently, he’s also been involved in the matchday squads for the past few weeks – an experience which has aided the young winger. which provides a chance to win back the price of your Season Ticket.
All the income from the draw is ploughed into resources to help the identification, development and coaching of the best home-grown talents.
Click here for more information on the Academy Supporters' Draw!
