YOUNG Saints defender Nico Lawrence has joined League Two outfit MK Dons on a season-long loan after a conversation with manager Russell Martin.

Former MK Dons boss and player Martin convinced the 20 year old that joining Mike Williamson's side would be the best move for his development.

Lawrence heads out for his third taste of senior football. He was named young player of the year at Torquay in 2023 before having a spell at Colchester United cut short last season due to injury.

Having trained with Martin’s first team towards the end of the 2023/24 season Lawrence now joins The Dons who narrowly missed out on promotion in the play-offs last term.

Lawrence said: "I sat down with Russell Martin for 20-30 minutes to discuss my options, and what would suit me best and help me thrive the most, and obviously it was MK." 

"The style of play is something that excites me a lot, it's similar to Southampton's style of football, I can't wait to kick-start and get going."

A statement via Southampton's website added: "The club wishes Nico all the best during his loan spell and looks forward to monitoring his progress."