Harry Darling leaves the U’s for MK Dons in a surprise move.
It’s always disappointing to lose a first-team player, and doubly so when they’re a homegrown one, having come through the youth team and truly ‘one of our own’. Darling’s contract was up at the end of the season and having turned down a number of offers from him, United were finally able to seal a deal which sees a decent transfer fee plus sell-on.
Darling has been in decent form alongside Greg Taylor this season and is a big part of why we sit top of the table, but there’s adequate replacement on the bench in the form of Robbie Cundy, and fellow loanee Jubril Okedina has played centre back for Spurs U23’s this season too. One concern is that we’re light of permanent names in that position, with only Greg and Joe Neal on the books.
Harry has been a fine servant for the U’s and clearly has a great career ahead of him so it’s good to see that United’s youth system has created another player who’s going on to play at a higher level. Whilst it’s frustrating that that will be with another team instead of us, you can’t blame the club for not wanting to stand in his way.
We’ll miss his leadership on the pitch, which for a 21 year old was at times outstanding, as well his occasional goals, and wish him well at MK Dons. No-one here will ever forget his winner at Colchester last season.
Under The Abbey Stand 