Cambridge United can today confirm the Football Club have reached an agreement with MK Dons for Harry Darling to complete a move away from the Abbey Stadium for an undisclosed fee.
With the centre back moving into the final months of his current contract, following a series of rejected bids Cambridge United are satisfied that the approach now made by MK Dons meets the Football Club's value for the player and have therefore accepted the offer, which includes a sell on fee.
Cambridge United are certain the 21-year old has an incredibly bright career ahead of him, and that this deal is the right moment to allow him to progress to the next step on his career path, as well as one that reflects the best value for Cambridge United.
Darling, who grew up locally in Burwell, first joined the Club Academy at Under 13's level following a short period in the Shadow Academy. He went on to progress through a full-time scholarship, captaining the Club's Youth Team under now Head Coach Mark Bonner, before making his professional debut for the Club aged 17 against Scunthorpe in 2016.
Since then, Harry has truly lived up to the 'One of our own' tag fondly given to him by U's supporters, developing into a first team regular at the Abbey, making 73 appearances for the Football Club scoring three times.
Cambridge United Head Coach Mark Bonner commented: "We are proud of Harry for the development he has made to this point and to have developed a player through our academy into a first team regular before transferring him to a higher level club, being compensated very well in the current market. This is an excellent example of the model our club should follow and further encourages us to continue developing strategies and opportunities for our club developed players.
“This should serve as excellent motivation to all of our players who harbour such ambitions of what is possible. We always believed Harrys next step in his journey would be away from our club and the opportunity he now has will be a great challenge for him.
“Harry goes with our very best wishes, we are proud of his progress, grateful for his contribution across the club and excited by his future. We are also excited by our own future and continuing the progress we have made.
“This now opens playing opportunities for other players and we will add the appropriate competition and cover to our squad in due course, to enable us to continue competing at the level we have been.”
Everybody at the Abbey Stadium and Cambridge United Community Trust would like to place on record our thanks to Harry, and wishes him the very best of luck for what is a promising career ahead.