Dons close to signing O'Hora permanently

The Irish defender is close to penning a full-time deal at Stadium MK
Warren O'Hora scraps with Will GriggWarren O'Hora scraps with Will Grigg
Warren O'Hora scraps with Will Grigg

Brighton defender Warren O'Hora is close to completing a move to MK Dons on a permanent basis.

The 21-year-old has made 17 appearances for Russell Martin's side since signing on loan from the Seagulls in the summer, and with his contract up in June, Dons have opted to make the move permanent - though reports of six-figure fees are well wide of the mark.

The move is understood to be close to being completed, but Martin was confident there would be no issues from either side in getting it over the line.

"We are trying to make it permanent," he confirmed. 2Warren has shown what a capable player he can be, he's really improved, his mentality and attitude into developing himself and buying into what we're trying to do is brilliant. I love his character, and for a young lad he's a real leader. Of course, we'd love to make him ours and not just have him on loan.

"Brighton have been great in letting him out on loan, and recognising Warren wants to progress and kick on, play regularly and call somewhere his home. Hopefully we're getting close to being able to do that."

O'Hora became a key man in the Dons defence after a shaky start to his spell. Having watched him a handful of times prior to getting him on loan, Martin said he spotted O'Hora's potential but admitted any player's first loan spell playing first-team football can make of break them, but was delighted to see O'Hora thrive.

The manager continued: "Whenever a player has a first loan, it's a bit of a risk because you don't know what you're going to get. I watching him two or three times for Brighton U23s, and after speaking to a few people, I knew he'd have no problems with his mentality. But you're never quite sure how a player will come in and do.

"He's the most honest and unassuming guy you'll meet, and after the first few games, he said 'it'll be a long season if I don't improve quickly' but his attitude has dictated how he's done. We've worked hard on him physically, mentally and tactically. He has grown every week, every game until arguably he was one of our best players until he got injured.

"I'm really pleased to work with him and there's a lot of improvement still to make. He's a player we want to grow with us, and to keep improving."