Warren O’Hora has committed his future to MK Dons by putting pen to paper on a new contract.
O’Hora, 23, arrived at Stadium MK in August 2020, initially joining on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion before making the move permanent in January 2021.
The Irishman has totalled 92 appearances in an MK Dons shirt and was ever-present during last season’s Sky Bet League One campaign. He captained the team last week for the Carabao Cup tie with Sutton United at Stadium MK.
O’Hora’s original deal was set to expire at the end of this season but the central defender is now contracted to MK Dons beyond June 2023.
“I’m very happy,” he told iFollow MK Dons in an exclusive interview after putting pen to paper. “I still feel I have a lot to learn and improve on ,and this is the right place for me to achieve that.
“My time here has gone by so quickly because I’ve been enjoying it so much. I settled in quickly and I have been committed to the Club ever since. The Gaffer, as well as all of the players that have been and gone, have been so beneficial to my growth.
“I’m ambitious and I want to play at the highest level I can, and I wouldn’t extend my time here if I didn’t think that it was the right place to be for me to achieve that.”
Born in Dublin, O’Hora began his career with Bohemians, progressing through their youth ranks before breaking into the first team in 2017.
The defender caught the attention of Brighton & Hove Albion during the 2017/18 season, eventually joining the Seagulls for an undisclosed fee in January 2018. He was a regular for the Seagulls’ Under-23s and was named their Young Player of the Year in 2020.
In August 2020, he signed for MK Dons on loan but impressed during the first-half of the 2020/21 campaign, earning a permanent move to Stadium MK. He has been a virtual ever-present since, and is fast approaching his 100th club appearance.
Sporting Director Liam Sweeting said: “Over the last 18 months, Warren has shown what an important player, character and leader he is to our Club.
“Last season, he started every league One game and has developed into one of the most consistent and reliable defenders in the EFL. His behaviours off the pitch are that of a senior professional and that is testament to how he has matured quickly.
“I am delighted that we have been able to reward him with a new contract and look forward, with strong belief, that Warren will continue to grow in his impact for us on and off the pitch.”
Head Coach Liam Manning said: “We are delighted that Warren has committed his future to the Football Club.
“Warren epitomises the culture we want to establish here at MK Dons, with his behaviours and habits around the dressing room and in training as well as his consistent and high-level performances on the pitch. He is a terrific role model for young players coming through.
“You forget how young he is because of his maturity and he still has room to improve and get better. Importantly, he wants that too and we are pleased he has chosen to continue that development here at MK Dons.”
