George Baldock has joined Sky Bet Championship side Sheffield United after MK Dons and the Blades agreed terms and an undisclosed fee for the defender’s services.
The 24-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the Blades after completing a medical at Bramall Lane.
This move ends Baldock’s 14-year association with the Club, having joined the Academy at the age of 10. He made a total of 125 first-team appearances during his time at Stadium MK and scored two goals.
Baldock signed a new two-year deal with the Dons in August 2016 following interest that summer from a number of higher-level clubs and continued to be tracked throughout the 2016/17 campaign.
Although reluctant to sell the full-back, the Club respects Baldock’s wishes to play Championship football next season and the transfer will enable Robbie Neilson to further strengthen his squad for the Club’s own Championship push in 2017/18.
Speaking to mkdons.com, Neilson said: “We’re disappointed to lose George because he’s a talented player. He wanted to test himself in the Championship next season, though, and we wish him all the best.
“The deal is a good one for the Football Club and it will allow us to reinvest in the squad as we aim to challenge at the right end of the table in 2017/18. “
Chairman Pete Winkelman added: “After 14 years of superb service to the Football Club, we are sad to see George leave, however we were conscious of his desire to play Championship football.
“He is one of an ever-growing list of players that have developed within our fantastic Academy and I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone associated with MK Dons when I wish George every success in the future.”
Baldock said of his departure: “I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I’ll look back with real fondness but this is an opportunity I felt I couldn’t turn down at this stage of my career.
“This is a great club and it’s the one that gave me my chance in the game. I’ll be forever grateful to the Chairman, the two managers I have worked under, the staff and the players that I’ve played with, as well as, of course, the supporters who have always been terrific with me.”
The Club would like to thank George for his fantastic contribution and wish him all the best for the future.
