After joining the club as a seven-year-old, young MK Dons prospect Brooklyn Ilunga has put pen to paper on his first professional contract.
The 17-year-old sprung onto the first-team scene in the latter stages of the 2020/21 campaign, replacing Matt O’Riley in a 3-0 defeat to Rochdale A.F.C. Since then, the teenage striker has gone on to make three more appearances, including his first start against Wycombe Wanderers in the Papa Johns Trophy a fortnight ago.
After finalising the deal, Ilunga told the club website: “This is a proud moment for me and my family. To sign a professional contract is what every academy player dreams of doing.
“I’m grateful to God and I’m grateful for the club and the staff here for helping me develop and providing me with the chance to show what I can do – I hope I can make everyone proud.
“I spoke to the chairman when I signed and he congratulated me and told me this is just the beginning. The work starts now – I’m grateful for the first contract but I need to work for the next one now.”
MK Dons Head Coach Liam Manning added: “I am delighted for Brook and his family at this special moment in his footballing career.
“He has earned this contract through good performances, both in training and in games, as well as by demonstrating a hard-working mentality and a willingness to learn and develop – these characteristics will be just as important as he begins his professional journey.
“From a club perspective, it is fantastic to see another young boy from Milton Keynes come all the way through the academy into the first team – it is an important part of what MK Dons is all about.”
