Championship new boys Milton Keynes Dons have announced the signing of young Southampton forward Sam Gallagher on a season-long loan deal.
The 19-year-old, who joined Southampton’s prestigious academy in 2012 from Plymouth Argyle, joins The Dons after the club reached the second tier of English football for the first time since the original club Wimbledon FC dissolved in 2004.
The six-feet-four-inch teenager has scored twice in 20 appearances for Premier League Southampton including a league goal against Norwich City, and is highly thought-of at the South Coast outfit.
After initially opting to represent Scotland at youth level, Gallagher has since made the switch to England, the country of his birth, and has represented The Three Lions at under 19 level.
Robinson delighted with Gallagher capture
With the season opener against Rotherham just around the corner, manager Karl Robinson has added firepower to his squad as he hopes his team make a dent in the Championship this season.
Speaking to the MK Dons official website, Gallagher expressed his delight at joining the club, saying it is “unbelievable”.
He added, “From the moment I got here, I’ve been made to feel really welcome” and also highlighted his happiness to be “wanted by someone like (manager) Karl Robinson.”
The striker also feels that his new team could be on the same trajectory as his parent club, saying, “It gives off a similar feel to where Southampton were at this point” and adding, “It feels like the club is going in a similar direction.”
Manager Robinson feels that “everyone will be excited by Sam” and added that Gallagher is a “really talented player and it wasn’t something I thought we’d have the opportunity of doing.”
Signing number six for The Dons
Gallagher becomes the sixth summer arrival at Stadium MK, with deals completed for Simon Church, Dale Jennings, Cody Cropper, Cristian Benavente and loan deals for Bolton winger Rob Hall and Southampton’s Gallagher.