MK Dons have completed the loan signing of Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Conor Coventry.
Coventry, 21, joins from West Ham United and will spend the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign at Stadium MK.
The central midfielder, who has captained his country at youth level and represented them on 37 occasions, spent the first half of this season at Sky Bet Championship side Peterborough United, totalling 12 appearances.
Coventry also enjoyed a loan spell at Lincoln City in 2020 while the former West Ham Academy Player of the Season has three first-team games to his name for the Hammers.
“I’m delighted to be here,” Coventry said. “This is a Club moving in a really good direction and hopefully I can help make a positive impact towards that.
“I know how the team plays and it’s something that suits me. I am a player who will always give my all and look to get on the ball, dictate play and help keep possession.
“I obviously know the manager from his time at West Ham. He is someone I trust and who really helped my development so I am looking forward to working with him again and hopefully I can repay his and the Club’s faith with my performances.”
Coventry joined West Ham United’s Academy at the age of 10 and progressed through youth ranks, during which time he worked under MK Dons Head Coach Liam Manning. He signed professional terms with the Hammers in April 2018 and made his first-team debut that September, as a substitute in an 8–0 victory in the EFL Cup.
The following campaign, the midfielder spent time on loan in Sky Bet League One with Lincoln City but was limited to just seven appearances as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He remained at the London Stadium during the 2020/21 season before completing a loan move to Peterborough United on loan in August 2021 - Coventry made 12 appearances for Posh before returning to his parent club this month.
On an international level, Conor is eligible to represent Ireland through his mother and has totalled 37 appearances across the Under-17s, Under-19s and Under-21s age groups. He has been involved in senior squads too but is still awaiting his debut at that level.
Sporting Director Liam Sweeting said: “Conor is a player we have followed for a long time, this being third time lucky in trying to sign him.
“He is an excellent fit for the role in terms of controlling possession and adding defensive responsibility. He had a fantastic pre-season with West Ham's first team and a move to the Championship followed.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Conor contribute towards our target in the second half of the season.”
Sweeting added: “The last 24 hours are an example of our recruitment operations at their best. We weren't expecting Ethan to be recalled but the work our recruitment team do in preparing for every scenario, coupled with clarity from Liam Manning, means we are agile and ultimately can move quickly within the market.”
Head Coach Liam Manning commented: “Conor is somebody I know well from our time together at West Ham United.
“He is a fantastic character, first and foremost, as well as a hard-working and talented young player who his comfortable on the ball and suited to what we are trying to do here at MK Dons. He will certainly bolster our squad and add to the quality that we have here.”
