Mitchell Nelson looks set to finalise a move to Coca-Cola League One newcomers AFC Bournemouth this week from Tooting & Mitcham United.
The young central defender, an attendee at the 2009 Assessment Trials after being released by Colchester United, now looks set to move back up the football pyramid after an impressive year at Tooting’s Imperial Fields.
It is believed that the youngster will sign a three-year deal at Dean Court after being spotted by the Cherries in recent trial games for Reading and Crystal Palace.
And the 20 year old former Colchester United Apprentice admits he is thrilled at the news. Nelson said:
“It feels great. Last year at Tooting I really missed not training and being around football every day. To go to a team that have just gone up to League One is a dream. It is all really exciting.”
“I think Reading and Palace were both looking at giving me deals but Bournemouth contacted me and said they could offer me something better. Eddie Howe told me I have everything I need to succeed, and it will just be a case of sorting out a few points in my game when I get down there.”
Nelson will report to training in July, and is also set to move home from South London to the South Coast.
And with a transfer fee likely to swell the coffers at Imperial Fields, Nelson was eager to pay tribute to former mentor Billy Smith. He added:
“Billy gave me a lot of confidence over the last season and I owe him a lot. Both he and George Wakeling kept telling me they knew I was a player and just to keep doing what I was doing. That gave me a real boost and I really enjoyed my time there.”
“Tooting have a great reputation as a place to get spotted thanks to what happened with Michail going to Reading and I know there are more youngsters who want to go there. I have good memories from being at Tooting but now I am moving on.”
