Bohemians are set to lose another star player to the UK as PFAI Young Player of the Year Dawson Devoy looks primed for a move to MK Dons.
The League One side are set to trigger a buyout clause in the Meathman’s contract as Keith Long faces having to replace another member of last season’s squad.
Former Watford trainee Devoy, who came through the ranks with Bohs’ partner club St Kevin’s Boys before moving to England at 16, has been a revelation for the Gypsies and signed a new deal in December.
He was a key part of the side that pushed Shamrock Rovers all the way in the race for the 2020 title and became indispensable in 2021.
Devoy played 44 games in all competitions, scoring three goals from his deep midfield position, as Bohs made it through three rounds in Europe.
He also scored in the shoot-out at Lansdowne Road in the FAI Cup final as Bohs narrowly missed out on their first major national trophy in over a decade.
Ashbourne native Devoy also made his breakthrough at international level, appearing three times for Jim Crawford’s under-21s in European Championship qualifying.
His loss will come as a particularly heavy blow to Long, who has already lost Ross Tierney, Rob Cornwall, Georgie Kelly and captain Keith Buckley from the starting side at the Aviva.
20-year-old Tierney signed for Motherwell and Cornwall for Northern Colorado Hailstorm, Buckley has gone travelling and Kelly is also set to sign for a team overseas.
And now MK Dons, who have former Gypsies defender Warren O'Hora, Troy Parrot and Conor Coventry in their ranks, have earmarked him as a replacement for Matt O'Riley, who has joined Celtic for a reported £1.5 million (€1.8 million).
Losing players due to low three-figure buyout clauses is nothing new for League of Ireland sides - Sligo Rovers lost striker Johnny Kenny to Celtic for €150,000 this month.
