MK Dons are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Samir Carruthers from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee.
Carruthers passed a medical and agreed personal terms before putting pen to paper on a three-year deal.
The deal sees the 21-year-old return to stadiummk having enjoyed a loan spell with Karl Robinson’s men side last season, which included a superb solo effort in the 2-1 win over Oldham Atheltic.
Samir’s stay was unfortunately cut short due to a posterior cruciate ligament injury and although he has fully recovered from that, he suffered a minor thigh injury playing in a recent pre-season friendly for Villa which will keep him out of action for a short period of time.
“It’s exciting and it’s what I wanted,” he told MK Dons Player. “Obviously I know the Club from before, I’m pleased to be back and I can’t wait to get going again. It’s like coming home.”
He added: “The knee injury was hard at the time and no player wants to go through that, but I’ve come back fine and my knee is healthy.
“Now I need to work hard with Si (Simon Crampton) to recover from this thigh problem, get myself fit and into the manager’s thinking for selection.”
Karl Robinson told mkdons.com: “I understand some fans might be thinking why have we signed a player who is injured but we’re building for the future. He is part of the long-term strategy here and that’s shown with his three-year deal.
“He’s an exceptional talent and one day I believe he will be back showcasing his ability at the top.
“Having seen him play here last season, I’m sure the fans will be excited to see Samir play in a Dons shirt soon, especially now he is a permanent member of the squad.
“I like to thank Paul Lambert and Aston Villa for their help with getting this deal done.”
He added: “As I’m sure you’ve all noticed, the recruitment pattern has changed and the signing of Samir adds to what we believe has been a successful summer in the transfer market so far.”
Carruthers was on the books with Arsenal as a schoolboy but opted to switch to Villa in 2009 and subsequently signed professional terms with the Midlands side.
In the 2011/12 season he made his debut under then-boss Alex McLeish when he was introduced as a 86th minute substitute in Villa’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League.
His reputation does not just come from first-team football, the Islington-born midfielder has been capped at Under-19 and Under-21 level for Republic of Ireland and he played a pivotal role in helping Villa’s reserve side to Barclays Premier Reserve League South success three years ago.
Carruthers was also part of the Aston Villa Under-19s side that won the NextGen Series title two seasons ago, a tournament where 16 of Europe’s top young sides compete in a Champions League style format. Villa saw off teams such PSV Eindhoven, Olympiacos, Sporting CP and Ajax en route to a 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the final.
The deal sees the 21-year-old return to stadiummk having enjoyed a loan spell with Karl Robinson’s men side last season, which included a superb solo effort in the 2-1 win over Oldham Atheltic.
Samir’s stay was unfortunately cut short due to a posterior cruciate ligament injury and although he has fully recovered from that, he suffered a minor thigh injury playing in a recent pre-season friendly for Villa which will keep him out of action for a short period of time.
“It’s exciting and it’s what I wanted,” he told MK Dons Player. “Obviously I know the Club from before, I’m pleased to be back and I can’t wait to get going again. It’s like coming home.”
He added: “The knee injury was hard at the time and no player wants to go through that, but I’ve come back fine and my knee is healthy.
“Now I need to work hard with Si (Simon Crampton) to recover from this thigh problem, get myself fit and into the manager’s thinking for selection.”
Karl Robinson told mkdons.com: “I understand some fans might be thinking why have we signed a player who is injured but we’re building for the future. He is part of the long-term strategy here and that’s shown with his three-year deal.
“He’s an exceptional talent and one day I believe he will be back showcasing his ability at the top.
“Having seen him play here last season, I’m sure the fans will be excited to see Samir play in a Dons shirt soon, especially now he is a permanent member of the squad.
“I like to thank Paul Lambert and Aston Villa for their help with getting this deal done.”
He added: “As I’m sure you’ve all noticed, the recruitment pattern has changed and the signing of Samir adds to what we believe has been a successful summer in the transfer market so far.”
Carruthers was on the books with Arsenal as a schoolboy but opted to switch to Villa in 2009 and subsequently signed professional terms with the Midlands side.
In the 2011/12 season he made his debut under then-boss Alex McLeish when he was introduced as a 86th minute substitute in Villa’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League.
His reputation does not just come from first-team football, the Islington-born midfielder has been capped at Under-19 and Under-21 level for Republic of Ireland and he played a pivotal role in helping Villa’s reserve side to Barclays Premier Reserve League South success three years ago.
Carruthers was also part of the Aston Villa Under-19s side that won the NextGen Series title two seasons ago, a tournament where 16 of Europe’s top young sides compete in a Champions League style format. Villa saw off teams such PSV Eindhoven, Olympiacos, Sporting CP and Ajax en route to a 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the final.
