The young centre-back made a big impression at MK Dons this season

It has been a huge season for young Jack Burke, and he hopes it is only the beginning.

Last week, he celebrated his 17th birthday before scoring a bullet-header in the MK Dons Academy Showcase against West Brom, capping what has been a remarkable 12-months for the teen.

Heading into the season, even the most ardent of Dons supporters might not have heard of Burke but three impressive displays for the first-team, and praise from some high places, certainly has put him on the list of ones to watch in the coming years.

Making his debut, as so many do, in the EFL Trophy against Reading, Burke then held his own against an experienced Swindon Town side and despite the 4-0 reverse - a hat-trick from League Two’s top-scorer Aaron Drinan aside - made a big impression on head coach Paul Warne. At the time, Warne said what Burke was doing was ‘obscene’ for someone so young and backed him to have a good career.

Burke was then given another opportunity to star, this time in the FA Cup against Championship Oxford United, coming on in extra time as Dons pushed the third round tie to a penalty shoot-out, after which fellow centre-back Jack Sanders praised his calm head and nerve.

Rounding out his impressive breakthrough year, Burke was named Young Player of the Year at Dons’ End of Season Awards before leading the academy side out at Stadium MK on Friday, with his performance described as ‘colossal’ by coach Ronyane Marsh-Brown.

“It has been a year I couldn’t have imagined,” Burke said of his season. “It has been really good. I’ve loved every minute of it.

“The experience has been second to none, and hopefully I can build on it and show everyone what I can do next season.

“As a footballer, you have to look ahead and plan the future. I want to come back in the summer as fit as possible and kick on really. There are loads of people here to give me advice, and it does really help. I’m really grateful for that.

“I’m really proud of what I’ve done this year, I’m really happy with how I’ve performed on and off the pitch. I’ve also got to thank my team-mates though for helping me to get there, and to the first-team for giving me the opportunities that I’ve had. I’m really happy.”