Isaac Ogundere today put pen to paper on a new contract which keeps him with the Dons until 2025 – once again underlining our commitment to developing our Academy graduates.
The agreement – which includes the option of a further year - provides great recognition for the progression that Isaac has shown since breaking into the first-team last season, with our defender keen to add to his record of 25 senior appearances.
Here we caught up with ‘Ogs’ to get his feelings on signing the new deal whilst also touching on how the 2023/24 season is going so far as we look ahead to this weekend’s London derby against Sutton United.
Watch the full interview below.
ISAAC, SIGNING YOUR FIRST PROFFESIONAL CONTRACT IN 2021 WAS A BIG MOMENT. HOW PROUD ARE YOU TODAY TO BE SIGNING ANOTHER ONE?
I’m delighted. All the hard work that’s been put in over the last couple of years has really paid off. I’m so happy to have got it over the line.
HAVING BEEN HERE A NUMBER OF YEARS, WHAT DOES THE CLUB MEAN TO YOU?
I think you can see from how we’ve started the season that we’re really close with the fans. The feeling of togetherness throughout the Club is great. Signing for two more years shows I want to be here.
WHY IS THIS ENVIRONMENT SO GOOD FOR YOUNG PLAYERS?
It’s all down to the way that Johnnie and Terry put trust in young players, it really gives you a platform to perform. The relationship we as players have with the staff is solid.
COMPETITION FOR PLACES COMES WITH THE TERRITORY IN FOOTBALL. HOW MUCH DO YOU AND HUSYEIN BILER PUSH EACH OTHER TO BE BETTER?
We push each other a lot. He’s one of my best mates at the Club, we’ve been together throughout the entire time I’ve been here as a young player. We’re always encouraging each other to do well.
We’re happy for each other whatever happens. When he was playing well last season I was over the moon for him. When I play he’s the same to me. We show each other that love when the other isn’t playing.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR BEST MOMENT SINCE PROGRESSING THROUGH TO THE FIRST-TEAM?
I think the turnaround in results last season, which coincided with my full debut against Bradford away. Before then we’d lost a few but we put in a good performance up there in front of a crowd of 20,000.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT OR CHANGE THAT YOU FEEL YOU’VE MADE TO YOUR GAME?
I think I’ve improved going forwards. I’ve always been more of a defensive minded player because I played across the back four when I was in the Under-18s. I’ve really looked to improve my game offensively because a modern day full-back is expected to do both.
THE DYNAMIC HAS CHANGED WITH 10 NEW SIGNINGS COMING IN. HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL TO KNOW THAT PLAYERS OF THEIR CALIBRE WANT TO JOIN US?
I think you can already see that the 10 new signings have improved us. We’re more of a group in comparison to last season. We’re much stronger as a defensive unit. We pride ourselves on that shape. The attackers are scoring their goals, as a team we’re far more together.
JAMES TILLEY IS AN INVERTED WINGER. WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE TO PLAY WITH HIM DOWN THAT SIDE?
He’s an unreal player. He showed his class the other night with those two goals. They were different to each other. I love playing with him as he makes things easier.
IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIFIC THAT JOHNNIE, TERRY AND THE REST OF THE STAFF WANT YOU TO FOCUS ON IN ORDER TO KEEP IMPROVING?
I need to improve upon defending at the back post. Aerial duels are something I need to focus on as well. As a defender you need to be doing that. If we keep those clean sheets we won’t lose, it’s that simple. I need to make sure I’m aggressive – we’re really big on one on ones in the wide areas, you have to stop those crosses coming in.
I feel I wasn’t aggressive enough last season. Jumping early and setting that aggression will keep helping me to improve defending in that back post area. I’m a young player that’s still learning so I will improve.
THERE’S A BIG GAME THIS WEEKEND AGAINST SUTTON IN THE LONDON DERBY. HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO BEAT THEM AND MAKE UP FOR LAST SEASON?
We really owe them one after last year. They did us at home which is never nice, particularly with it being a derby. We need to go there and focus on us, focus on what we do well.
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