Ross Worner signs on the dotted line
having signed on the dotted line today.Ross WornerAFC Wimbledon are pleased to announce the signing of a new goalkeeper with former Aldershot and Charlton stopper
The 23-year-old headed Neal Ardley’s shortlist of goalkeeping targets for this summer after he came highly recommended by new goalkeeper coach Ashley Bayes.
said: “I have been talking for several weeks with Ashley to draw up a shortlist of what we wanted from a goalkeeper. On that list were a lot of loan players and inexperienced goalkeepers. When we filtered through the list Ross came out on top because he ticked all the boxes. Ashley has worked with Ross at Aldershot and he told me that in a couple of years Ross could be playing at a higher level. That struck a chord with me and we are really confident that Ross will be a top goalkeeper.Neal Ardley, Dons PlayerSpeaking to
“Ross has Football League experience, but he had a really unfortunate time last season as he suffered a back injury and had to have surgery. However, Ross played a lot of games last season, he has had a thorough medical, and we are confident that we will be getting a maximum amount of games from him.”
Ross started his career at Woking before earning a move to Charlton in the summer of 2010. After making nine first-team appearances for the Addicks, he joined Aldershot a year later and featured 23 times for the Shots in the Football League.
During an interview for Dons Player, Ross said that he cannot wait to get started at Wimbledon with pre-season training starting on Monday.
“It is brilliant to get a chance at such a big club with a great fan base,” said Ross. “I have played against Wimbledon a few times and the fans have always created a good atmosphere. I have come back strongly from the back injury I suffered and this is now a massive stage in my career. I have to really push hard this season, work hard every day in training, and do my best to make the most of this great opportunity that Neal Ardley has given me.”
Neal Ardley also clarified that Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz has been released due to the club’s new goalkeeping structure for next season.
“Mikhael went away on holiday and never returned until the day before I went away on holiday so we had a long conversation when I returned,” said Neal. “It was an amicable conversation and I told him that we were planning to go in a different direction with a goalkeeper coach as the number two.”
AFC Wimbledon wishes to thank Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz for his contribution to the club.
Dons Player subscribers can now watch a video interview with Neal Ardley on boosting his squad and the thought of Ross Worner on joining Wimbledon will be on our premium site later this afternoon.