Front Row L-R: Dixie Robinson (Head of Youth Development) & Darren Robinson
Teenage midfielder, Darren Robinson, has signed a Professional Contract with English Championship side Derby County.
Robinson, 16, arrived at Dungannon two years ago from Portadown and has just made his debut for the Club coming on in the last game of the season against Glenavon.
An obviously excited Darren Robinson has signed a three year deal with the Championship club and can’t wait to get started.
“Its all I’ve wanted to do ever since I started playing football, to get over the water, I’m over the moon to sign for Derby. I’ve loved every minute of my time here at Dungannon. Dixie, Keith and everyone else have treated me so well and its been a great experience training with the first team.
I chose Derby firstly because the facilities are excellent and the place itself s nice too. I felt more at home there and I really enjoyed my time when I was there.”
Speaking back in January, when “Robbo” as he is known to his teammates, signed his first professional deal with Dungannon spoke very highly of the club.
“I’m very happy to sign my first professional contract and I can’t thank Dungannon Swifts enough for how they have treated me over the last two seasons.”
Darren Robinson speaking in January 2021
Head of Youth Development, Dixie Robinson, is a very proud man having seen another one of the exciting young prospects have a crack over the water.
“Darren has been excellent ever since he has came in. He got the chance to go over to Fleetwood in the winter and he asked could he train with the first team due to COVID restrictions and to be fair to him he has trained so well he has stayed with the first team since. Robbo has also been over at Stoke and most recently Derby where he has decided to sign for on a three year deal.”
Looking to follow in the footsteps of Sean McAllister (Everton), Aaron Donnelly (Nottingham Forest) and Conor Bradley (Liverpool), Dixie believes Darren has what it takes to succeed in the professional game.
“Darren has a great attitude, works tremendously hard, technically very good and he gets about the pitch and I’ve no doubt, with the mindset that he has, I think he will go a long way in the game.”
All the best “Robbo”, everyone at Dungannon Swifts FC wishes you every success at Derby County.