The Dons had one of their busiest Deadline Days in recent memory on Monday – a 24-hour period which manager Karl Robinson described as being ‘emotional’.
Just after 10pm on the final day of the winter transfer window, Robinson and the Dons were able to complete the signing of former captain Keith Andrews on loan until the end of the season – reuniting the Irishman with the club which he led to Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and League 2 success back in the 2007/08 season.
Then, just minutes before the deadline, young midfielder Dele Alli finalised a switch to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed club-record fee, before moving back to the Dons on loan until the end of the current campaign.
“It’s been an emotional one in a number of ways,” Robinson said outside a snowy stadiummk in the early hours of Tuesday morning. “It’s been a long and tiresome day, but there is a real warming feeling after what we’ve been able to.
“We’ve welcomed back one of the most iconic figures in this Club’s history in Keith Andrews and I’m really happy to be able to do that. Bringing Keith back should make people excited.
“We’ve not exactly hidden the fact that Keith has been here but we also had to be respectful to both Bolton Wanderers and Watford. Everyone knew how important it was for him to come back here - the fans’ hero is back!
“Dele is another unique situation. We’re proud of him and his move but we’re just as pleased to have him back and we’re excited about what we can do before the end of the season.
“We were always honest with our fans in that we knew he would go at some point - this is that time. We always gave our word, though, that we’d fight to keep him here for this season and we’ve stuck to our word.
“This Football Club means an awful lot to all three of us and, all together, hopefully we can achieve something great this season.”
Alli’s move to Spurs was a transfer that dominated the national media on Monday, with the talented starlet regarded as one of the most exciting young players in the country.
Since progressing through the Academy set-up at stadiummk, the 18-year-old has seen his stock rise at an astonishing rate but he has continued to remain grounded – and Robinson believes he will leave a legacy when he finally departs in the summer.
“Dele is a hero in the making for us - he’s left a legacy. He’s provided an awful lot of opportunities for the future talented kids in Milton Keynes and he’s going to help us invest in a training ground as well as do plenty of other things for young children in Milton Keynes.
“He’s got one more challenge to achieve, though, and that’s to get us up. He’s excited about his future but I’ve told him he’s still got plenty of work to do.”
While clubs can no longer purchase players, a loan window does open in just under a week’s time for sides in the Football League and Robinson has hinted the Dons’ work might not be done just yet.
“We still hope to do business in the loan window. There is still a bit of work to do but as official transfers go, 2015 hasn’t been too cruel to us.”
Robinson and his side take on Bristol City this Saturday in a first versus second clash at stadiummk - tickets are priced at £20 for adults, £15 for seniors and £6 for under-18s. Under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons Membership.
To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office at stadiummk/the kiosk at thecentre:mk or call 0333 200 5343
Then, just minutes before the deadline, young midfielder Dele Alli finalised a switch to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed club-record fee, before moving back to the Dons on loan until the end of the current campaign.
“It’s been an emotional one in a number of ways,” Robinson said outside a snowy stadiummk in the early hours of Tuesday morning. “It’s been a long and tiresome day, but there is a real warming feeling after what we’ve been able to.
“We’ve welcomed back one of the most iconic figures in this Club’s history in Keith Andrews and I’m really happy to be able to do that. Bringing Keith back should make people excited.
“We’ve not exactly hidden the fact that Keith has been here but we also had to be respectful to both Bolton Wanderers and Watford. Everyone knew how important it was for him to come back here - the fans’ hero is back!
“Dele is another unique situation. We’re proud of him and his move but we’re just as pleased to have him back and we’re excited about what we can do before the end of the season.
“We were always honest with our fans in that we knew he would go at some point - this is that time. We always gave our word, though, that we’d fight to keep him here for this season and we’ve stuck to our word.
“This Football Club means an awful lot to all three of us and, all together, hopefully we can achieve something great this season.”
Alli’s move to Spurs was a transfer that dominated the national media on Monday, with the talented starlet regarded as one of the most exciting young players in the country.
Since progressing through the Academy set-up at stadiummk, the 18-year-old has seen his stock rise at an astonishing rate but he has continued to remain grounded – and Robinson believes he will leave a legacy when he finally departs in the summer.
“Dele is a hero in the making for us - he’s left a legacy. He’s provided an awful lot of opportunities for the future talented kids in Milton Keynes and he’s going to help us invest in a training ground as well as do plenty of other things for young children in Milton Keynes.
“He’s got one more challenge to achieve, though, and that’s to get us up. He’s excited about his future but I’ve told him he’s still got plenty of work to do.”
While clubs can no longer purchase players, a loan window does open in just under a week’s time for sides in the Football League and Robinson has hinted the Dons’ work might not be done just yet.
“We still hope to do business in the loan window. There is still a bit of work to do but as official transfers go, 2015 hasn’t been too cruel to us.”
Robinson and his side take on Bristol City this Saturday in a first versus second clash at stadiummk - tickets are priced at £20 for adults, £15 for seniors and £6 for under-18s. Under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons Membership.
To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office at stadiummk/the kiosk at thecentre:mk or call 0333 200 5343
