Milton Keynes Dons are delighted to announce the permanent signing of Republic of Ireland international Stephen Gleeson from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Stephen joins the Club for an undisclosed fee and has signed a three-year contract at stadiummk.

The 20-year-old midfielder spent a month on loan with the Dons towards the end of last season, when his industrious, energetic performances won him many fans in the New City.

He becomes the Dons' fourth new signing of the summer and the first since former manager Roberto Di Matteo's departure to West Bromwich Albion.

Stephen said: "I'd planned to come back here if I got the chance and it's great that the two clubs have got the deal finalised. Once I got here I loved the place so it was ideal for me to come back.

"Obviously the Chairman is looking for a new manager, but the Club itself has huge ambition and that's good enough for me. As a player I have ambitions myself and I feel I can achieve those here.

"I can't wait to get playing football here again and hopefully I'll play a lot of games for MK Dons over the next three years."

Dons Chairman Pete Winkelman said: "It's a fantastic signing for the Club - Stephen made a huge impression here last season and is just the type of young player that can help take us forward.

Gleeson was in excellent form during his loan spell with the Dons last season.

"As well as his performances on the pitch, we were all enormously impressed with his professionalism and willingness to learn. He's got a great attitude to match his obvious talent.

"At such a young age I'm sure the best is still to come from Stephen and we're tremendously excited about seeing him develop in an MK Dons shirt."

Dublin-born Gleeson graduated from the Wolves Academy when he was awarded his first professional contract in 2006 and went on to enjoy several profitable loan spells to gain first team experience.

He spent three months on loan with Stockport County during the 2006/07 season and won his first full international cap in a friendly with Ecuador the following summer. After a brief spell with Hereford the following year, he rejoined the Hatters to help them win promotion from League 2 through the playoffs.

Gleeson's profitable time with County continued at the start of last season, taking his tally to over 50 appearances for the Edgeley Park club, before returning to Molineux in January.

He joined the Dons on loan in March and helped the men from MK to four wins in five games before seeing his spell ended by an ankle injury.

Having completed the formalities of the deal at stadiummk, Stephen will join up with his new team mates this week ahead of their pre-season trip to Portugal on Thursday.

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