We are delighted to announce the addition of a new number nine for Wimbledon with Ollie Palmer as our fourth summer signing.
As we revealed on our social media channels with a video at Plough Lane, the towering striker, who will offer a real presence up front at 6 ft 5 inches tall, has joined the Dons.
After leaving Crawley Town, where Ollie enjoyed two prolific seasons, other League One clubs were interested in the striker, but he decided to come here.
Brought up in Epsom and with big family ties to the club – his grandfather Tony Wright played for Wimbledon – Ollie can’t wait to play at our new stadium and our manager believes he will be a big asset to the team at the start of an exciting era.
“Ollie has scored a lot of goals in League 2 and he’s a good size, a target man,” said Glyn. “If he can bring his goals for us this season we will be in a good place. Ollie is a player we targeted early and he’s living locally as well, which fits the bill. Now that he has agreed to come we can’t wait to get working with him. He adds a nice balance to the squad. We’ve been given the funds and when someone we wanted has become available the club have done it. We are moving to a new stadium and hopefully we will have a good team to play there.”
After starting his career at Woking, Ollie made the switch in 2011 to Havant & Waterlooville and his superb goalscoring form earned a chance in league football with Mansfield. Since leaving the Stags, Ollie has had spells with Grimsby Town, Leyton Orient, Luton Town and Lincoln City, but it was his most recent form at Crawley Town that really caught the eye. A total of 30 goals in 76 appearances followed for the Sussex club and Ollie believes that his peak years are ahead at Wimbledon.
“I’ve got a lot of experience now, I’m 28 years of age and I’m not a little boy,” said Ollie. “I’ve learned a lot in my career and I’m really excited to showcase that in this new stadium. The most important thing is the team and that we get the best out of each other. We’ve got a few young players here and we will be trying to get the best out of them. It is the team that wins games, not individuals.
“There are some huge clubs in this league, but as a footballer you want to test yourself, you want to go up against the best that you can, and I’m really excited. The fans have played a huge part in this club and without the fans and their contribution this (new stadium) wouldn’t be here now. With what we are building now, there’s a big future, and it’s time to kick on.
"At the moment, you have to appreciate what we are, we are a League One football club, but we will be trying to push up the league table next season. The gaffer has made it clear that he wants to be fighting to get up that league and that’s what we will all be working towards.”
Look out soon for an extensive interview with Ollie about joining Wimbledon.