AFC Wimbledon has reluctantly accepted an offer of £300,000 for our striker Ollie Palmer after the player insisted he wanted to leave the club.
Ollie will join National League outfit Wrexham, whose new Hollywood owners are investing heavily in a bid to get their club back into the Football League.
We are naturally disappointed to see Ollie leave and wish the 30-year-old every success for the remainder of his career.
Our Chief Executive Joe Palmer said: “Wrexham offered a substantial fee for Ollie - and also made him an irresistible personal offer.
“In the end, though, it was entirely Ollie’s decision to leave. We couldn’t have offered him anywhere near what he was being offered and the last thing we wanted to do was force him to stay against his will. That wouldn’t have been in anyone’s best interests.”
Ollie joined us in August 2020 but injuries restricted him to 52 first-team appearances, in which he scored 13 goals.
In an emotional message to his former Dons teammates, Ollie said: "I just want to say a massive thank-you to each and every one of you.
"You’ve helped me grow as person and been a second family to me. I got to say a few goodbyes this morning and obviously in the players' group chat.
"I wish you nothing but the absolute best this season, what a club to play for, and thank you for everything.”
Head Coach Mark Robinson also added his own thanks to the 6ft 5ins striker, saying: "As a coach, seeing a 30-year-old grow and develop as a player and a person was hugely satisfying.
"I am obviously really disappointed Ollie has gone, but I can only wish him the very best as he bought into everything we did and had a big impact for us."
Although Ollie passed a medical at Wrexham this afternoon, the transfer remains subject to international clearance and approval from the Football League, FA and FAW.
Discussions on finding a replacement for Ollie are now ongoing. We only recently welcomed the arrival of striker Terry Ablade from Fulham - but the transfer windows remains open.
“The football panel are working through potential targets at the moment and we will look to provide Robbo with another option as soon as we can,” added Joe.