Harry Darling has swapped MK Dons for Swansea City after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee, with the 22-year-old penning a three-year contract.
The talented defender continues his progress up the EFL, having signed for the third-tier Dons from boyhood club Cambridge United 18 months ago – before the U’s gained promotion from Sky Bet League Two.
The 2021/22 campaign was incredibly successful for Darling, amassing 49 outings as his ball-playing abilities from the back were influential in MK surging to the Sky Bet League One Play-Offs.
Centre-back Darling was handed his professional debut as a second-year apprentice in November 2016 as a half-time substitute in the EFL Trophy, while he was also an outstanding performer in the classroom, achieving a D*D*D* grade profile on the BTEC Extended Diploma.
He is now closing in on 150 career appearances and ready to make his mark in Swansea’s high-possession philosophy under head coach Russell Martin – who recruited Darling during his time as MK Dons boss.
“I personally think it’s the best way to play and that’s why I’m here,” Darling told the Swans website. “Russell was a massive part of it. I was with him at my last club and we’ve stayed in contact.
“I love working with him and it’s such a big club. I’ve heard really good things about it so those were the two reasons I want to come here.
“I know the way the manager plays so it was just a case of getting the deal over the line – I just can’t wait to get started. The style is different, but when it gets going it’s such an exciting way of playing and it can really dominate teams.
“Although I’m a ball playing centre-back, my first job is to keep clean sheets, defend well and do that for the team. If I can do that bit first, then goals are just added extras.
“Personally, for me, I just want to do as well as I can, get as many appearances as I can, help the team in any way I can, win games and get us up the table.”
