Talented centre-back completes Premier League move
Centre-back Ryan Sweeney has today finalised his move from AFC Wimbledon to Premier League Stoke City.
The Academy product, also a Republic of Ireland under-19 international, had a message for everyone connected with AFC Wimbledon following completion of the deal.
“Thank you to all the fans for your support and to the manager Neal Ardley for giving me my chance in football, I couldn’t thank him enough,” said Ryan.
“I’d also like to thank all the staff - in particular Alan Reeves who developed and moulded me into a first team player from the youth team and Mark Robinson for the work he did with me at youth team level.”
The 19 year-old, who made 10 appearances during last season’s promotion-winning campaign, came through our academy ranks and was on the bench for our Wembley triumph in May.
"Stoke are getting a left sided centre half who has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years and there's no reason why he can't go on again in the next two years,” said Neal Ardley.
“How do I feel about it? You never want to lose players, but one thing at this club is that we have a real honest group of people and an academy product has come through who has done wonderful for the club. But with Darius and 'Robbo' about we can't guarantee that he will play this season and when a Premier League club comes knocking you have to do the best for all parties. I think the club has done that."
Everyone at AFC Wimbledon wishes Ryan well for the future.