MK Dons announce loan signing of Tommi O'Reilly from Aston Villa

MK Dons have announced the loan signing of midfielder Tommi O’Reilly from Premier League side Aston Villa.

The 21-year-old will spend the rest of the season on loan at Stadium MK, with the move being his second loan out from the Villains this campaign.

O’Reilly had spent the first half of the current campaign on loan with Shrewsbury Town, making 18 appearances for the League One side from Shropshire.

Before his time with the Shrews, O’Reilly had made a competitive debut for boyhood club Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League in 2023 and had a brief spell on loan in Spain with Basque Country-based third tier side Real Unión Club, who have links with Villa.

He told the official MK Dons website that he was happy to make the move.

O’Reilly said, “I’m buzzing to be here! I’m happy it’s finally got over the line and I can’t wait to get started. The Stadium is great, it’s a big pitch too and I’m excited to show people what I can do.

“I’m a creative player. I like to get on the ball a lot, I like to excite fans and play with no fear. 

“I want to help the team as much as I can, I want to create chances and score goals. I want to make an impact and be positive around the group.”

The Dons’ Head Coach Scott Lindsey added that he would provide a useful option as a ball-carrying attacking midfielder.

He said, “Tommi is a really exciting footballer. He plays as a number ten, but can fulfil a position anywhere across that frontline. He’s really comfortable on the ball, likes to dribble, drive forward and make things happen.

“He’s a player that I think we needed, we haven’t got many ball carriers in the squad and he certainly brings that.

“He’s had a good loan spell at Shrewsbury Town in League One, that was a really good experience for him and he’s ticked that box but now he can come to a team that’s fighting for promotion.”