Martin delighted to get O'Hora deal done

Warren O'Hora has completed his move from Brighton to MK Dons.

The 21-year-old Irishman has made 17 appearances this season while on loan from the Amex Stadium, but becomes a permanent member of the Dons squad after penning the deal on Monday morning.

His arrival follows, but had no bearing on, Richard Keogh's imminent departure to the Championship - understood to be Huddersfield Town.

But with Dons light on numbers at the back at the moment, manager Russell Martin joked he was keeping O'Hora hostage until the deal was signed.

"He's been here all weekend without food and water until he signed, so we didn't let him out!" he said. "It's brilliant news for us, really positive for the club both short term and long term. He's been one of our best players this season and we've missed him when he's been out.

"He's earned his contract, but now the challenge is even bigger. He has to become an established top player at this level. He has real leadership qualities and we hope to see more of that now he's our player. It's a great bit of business for us for a club and a good fit for Warren.

"We've got a really strong core group of young players who are ours and will keep improving and developing."

With big-money fees rumoured in the moves for both O'Hora and Charlie Brown - signed from Chelsea last week - Martin also confirmed both deals cost Dons barely anything .

He said: "(The rumours) are so far wide of the mark it's outrageous. They've not cost us a lot at all. Brighton have been great because they recognised Warren has done really well and wants to kick on. He wasn't going to stay there so they've been excellent.

"And Charlie is another one, his future wasn't with Chelsea. We've not spent any money on them."