AFC Wimbledon have won the race to sign 19-year-old left-back Nesta Guinness-Walker from Southern Premier League club Metropolitan Police.
Despite offers from two Premier League clubs, Nesta decided to choose AFC Wimbledon after being impressed by the club during a trial spell at the end of last season.
Shortly after putting pen to paper on his first professional contract, an excited Nesta said: “I thought it would be a bit nerve-racking coming from a semi-professional environment to a professional environment, but it’s such a tight family club. I had lunch with the manager on my first day! You can see from the relationship with the fans that it’s just one big family. I am so happy that I can be a part of it.
“It’s every young boy’s dream to come and join this club, to be a part of it. It’s a great feeling for me to be able to say that I’ve officially done it, the club has welcomed me with open arms. I came and watched the game against Bristol Rovers and I enjoyed everything about the club. I can’t wait to get started.”
Nesta’s performances last season for Met Police had scouts flocking to Imber Court as the Southern Leaguers made the first round of the Emirates FA Cup, before they were eventually edged out by Newport County. Though Nesta spent time as a youngster with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, he’s had to work hard to earn another opportunity with a professional club. After putting pen to paper, Nesta was quick to thank Met Police staff, including manager Gavin Macpherson for guiding him towards League One football.
“I’ve always been told that hard work will get you places. If you work hard, things come your way, and that’s all I’ve been trying to do: keep my head down, work hard, learn, and, luckily, it’s paid off. There is still more hard work to come, but it’s a good start.
“I’ve always played football from a young age. I was at Chelsea from the age of eight or nine years, but I got released from there and I just kept working hard in Sunday League. Another opportunity came with Tottenham for a year when I was 11. I didn’t make the cut there, but I went back into Sunday League football again. I worked hard, I never gave up, and since then I’ve played in non league and the hard work has paid off. I can’t say enough about Met Police. I joined when I was 17, so I’ve only had two years there, but the coaching staff there shaped me as a man and a player. I cannot thank them enough.”
Look out a bit later for the full interview with Nesta on the official website.