Official: AFC Wimbledon sign Luke McCormick from Chelsea

After 16 years, Chelsea midfielder Luke McCormick has left the Blues and joined AFC Wimbledon on a permanent transfer today, signing a contract of unannounced length. McCormick had a year left on his Chelsea contract, though it’s unclear if Wimbledon were made to pay any transfer fee.

McCormick is the second Chelsea arrival at Plough Lane of the last few days, following U18 assistant coach James Simmonds, who will be part of their coaching staff (on loan) until at least January.

Suffolk-born McCormick had been with Chelsea since age six, working his way up the ranks, sometimes as captain, even. He was part of the 2016-17 U18 Double-winning side (FA Youth Cup and U18 Premier League), before hitting the loan trail in 2019. A stint at Strawberry Shrewsbury Town that was cut short was followed by a successful full season at Bristol Rovers, even as The Gas were relegated to the fourth division.

Like Shrewsbury and Rovers, Wimbledon play in League One, and are very excited by the 22-year-old’s arrival.

“Our recruitment team put together a list of names before the season was finished, so that I could watch the clips, and Luke was top of the list. He was my main target in that position, so I presented to Luke five or six weeks ago. It felt like the right thing to do because you get in early and the presentation went really well.

“I absolutely loved him as a lad and everything that he is about, but football is football and there was loads of interest, and you kind of wonder if you are going to get your man. I’m so chuffed that he has come. We had to be patient, but I think that remaining professional and not badgering the lad, letting him make the decision, has helped us get him. It is a fantastic signing for us, it’s the sort of signing we’ve never made before, so there is lots to be excited about.”

-Mark Robinson, head coach; source: AFC Wimbledon

Good luck, Luke!