Defender signs after impressive trial
AFC Wimbledon have today bolstered their defensive options with Sean Kelly signing on the dotted line after a successful trial period.
The 22-year-old, who made almost 100 appearances in Scotland with St Mirren, will be eligible to play at Walsall on Saturday, subject to international clearance.
Having been capped at Under-21 level for Scotland, Sean brings a rich pedigree and his flexibility was a characteristic that Neal Ardley feels will be very useful for the Dons next season.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Neal Ardley said: “We wanted someone with flexibility and not someone who could only play in one position. We also wanted someone young who we could develop and make even better. Sean ticks those boxes because he can play left-back, centre-back, and he is 22. He has made almost 100 appearances in Scotland and in every training session and game I’ve not seen him have a bad one.
“He has got a little bit of filling out to do, but I believe what makes a good football player is good decision-making throughout games. So far, Sean has not made many bad ones. He has shown me and the staff that his football intelligence is right up there. He has also got a lovely left foot and he showed that with his set-pieces at Woking the other night. We think that he will be a really good addition.”
Sean expressed his delight after becoming an AFC Wimbledon player, especially after watching the Dons beat Plymouth in the League 2 Play-Off Final in May. A sign of his determination to push his career forward was that he was prepared to come here, rather than stay in Scotland.
“It’s obviously great to get it done having trained here for a few weeks,” said Sean. “I know about the history of this club and what it symbolises. You can see that from the pictures around the place. I think it’s only a matter of time before the club gets back to where it used to be.
“I watched the play-off final at Wembley. I was keeping an eye on Graham Carey and Gregg Wylde as I used to play with them at St Mirren. I am here now so it worked out better for me that Wimbledon won. It was an interesting game and Wimbledon deserved to win it.”
A full interview with Sean Kelly is now on Dons Player, along with an update from Neal Ardley.