Academy product commits future to the club
Will Nightingale’s impressive step-up to the first-team this season has been rewarded with a new professional contract.
The 19-year-old, who signed a first pro contract last summer, today signed improved terms to his existing deal after making four appearances for Wimbledon in 2014/15.
Will Nightingale (right) is pictured signing his new contract with club secretary David Charles.
It marks a pivotal achievement for the academy with the former Richard Chaloner School pupil having joined AFC Wimbledon at the age of nine.
but Neal Ardley hailed the young defender as a future captain of the club. Nightingale’s progress this season has been interrupted by a knee injury that required an operation,
“Will has signed a new contract today and this is really positive news,” said Neal. “He is someone who I feel will probably captain this club, hopefully under my tutelage. He is someone who really wants to be at the club. When you are between the age of 18 and 21 you should be hungry and snapping up a chance to play for your club. Will has shown that.
“Will did not want to sign his contract because he felt he did not deserve it due to his injury. That sums him up. This club is very good at giving out new contracts to players who warrant them and Will is certainly one of those.”
Nightingale is delighted to be staying with his boyhood club after rising through the ranks.
“I am over the moon to be staying with the club because I have been here a long time,” he said. “I have just made my way into the first-team this season and I felt that I did well. To get man of the match on my debut was a proud moment, but I think that I can get better. I have had my operation now and I just need to come back stronger.”
A full update from Neal Ardley is now on Dons Player and interviews with Will Nightingale and Callum Kennedy also feature on our premium channel.