MK Dons have signed Brighton & Hove Albion defender Warren O’Hora on permanent basis.
O’Hora, 21, has spent the first half of the season on loan with the Dons, making 17 appearances and impressing in the heart of defence.
This signing, completed on Monday, means the centre-back’s stay at Stadium MK will now become a permanent one. He becomes the third player to commit to the Dons during the January Transfer Window.
“I’m over the moon,” O’Hora told mkdons.com after putting pen to paper. “I’ve enjoyed my time with the Club ever since I arrived back in pre-season, so I’m happy to be here on a permanent basis.
“I’m certainly enjoying my football here and hopefully that’s showing on the pitch. Obviously now I want to get back on the pitch after my little injury setback.
“Every footballer wants to keep improving and developing, and I think MK Dons is the best place for me to do that. It’s a big ambition of mine to keep moving forward and I know I can do that with this Club - I’m really excited for the future.”
O’Hora began his career with Dublin-based Bohemians, progressing through their Academy to make 11 senior appearances in Ireland’s top-flight.
He signed for Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2018 and quickly established himself as a regular for the Seagulls’ Under-23s, totalling 30 Premier League 2 appearances, while also contributing three goals.
The defender, who has represented Ireland at Under-18s and Under-19s level, also played in three EFL Trophy games for Brighton, including a 3-2 victory over MK Dons back in November 2018.
He then moved to the Dons on loan this summer and soon established himself as a mainstay in Russell Martin’s defence. An injury has kept him sidelined in recent weeks but, after making his signing a permanent one, will be looking to continue his exciting development in Milton Keynes.
Manager Russell Martin said: “It’s brilliant news for the Football Club – in both the short-term and the long-term.
“He’s been one of our best players this season and certainly earned this contract. The challenge for him now is to establish himself as a top player at this level.
“He has also real leadership qualities which, now he’s our player, we hope to see come through even more too.”
