Callum turns down Man City to join Wimbledon
.Callum OvertonAFC Wimbledon beat off interest from several clubs including Premier League giants Manchester City to sign promising striker
The 15-year-old (pictured) turned down a three-week trial at City and interest from West Brom to sign a two-year scholarship with the club he has supported since he was a child.
Having banged the goals in for Brighton’s youth teams since he was nine, Callum certainly knows where the back of the net is – and Wimbledon favourite Jon Main was an early inspiration.
, is delighted to have captured the highly-rated striker.Mark RobinsonWimbledon Academy Manager,
“Callum has been top scorer for Brighton’s youth teams for six years and there have been top clubs after him,” said Mark. “Man City offered Callum a trial and West Brom were also after him, but he has put pen to paper at Wimbledon and we are really excited about that.
was his hero.”Jon Main“When Brighton slightly stalled on signing him for the next two years we invited him down to training and he liked what he saw. Callum is a Wimbledon fanatic, he was a mascot here twice, and
having also signed a two-year scholarship at the club. The left-sided player, who played for Wimbledon up until the age of 12, has returned to the Dons after a spell at Crystal Palace.Oliver HainesCallum was one of two players presented to Wimbledon’s crowd at half-time of the defeat against Barnet on Easter Monday with
The signings mean that Mark Robinson has completed the finishing touches to Wimbledon’s Under-18s squad for next season - and he has high hopes for this crop of youngsters.
“Oliver and Callum are the final two scholars for next season and the squad is now set, which is a great position to be in,” he added. “I can already start planning for next season and we have a really unique situation with this group of players. They have achieved great results and have come right through the ranks since we were in the Sunday League. They are all home-grown, apart from Oliver and Callum, and that should give us a special bond. Hopefully, we will have a great two years with them.”