Lyle Taylor
Lyle Taylor hands AFC Wimbledon major boost on the eve of transfer deadline day by signing new deal
The 26-year-old was the club's top goalscorer last season as his 21 league goals and play-off final strike fired the Dons to Sky Bet League One
Driven to succeed: AFC Wimbledon's Lyle Taylor
Lyle Taylor has signed a new AFC Wimbledon contract and credited Neal Ardley as the main reason behind him putting pen to paper.
The 26-year-old was the club's top goalscorer last season as his 21 league goals and play-off final strike fired the Dons to Sky Bet League One.
His prolific form caught the eye of several clubs but manger Ardley always remained confident of keeping his star striker this summer.
GetWestLondon exclusively revealed Wimbledon were planning to reward Taylor with a new deal back in July as the Dons looked to ward off any interest in the player.
That contract has now been signed on the eve of transfer deadline day to dampen any speculation the former Scunthorpe forward could leave before tomorrow night.
Taylor insists his manager was the primary reason he joined the club a year ago and is the driving force behind his desire to commit his long-term future to the club.
He told Dons Player: "The manager was the biggest thing for me signing and the biggest reason why I re-signed for this club.
"The fans are great, the boys are great, but the gaffer's style of management, his philosophy, and his ethos is the reason for me signing this contract.
Hands on the trophy: Lyle Taylor
Hero: Tie winning goalscorer Lyle Taylor of AFC Wimbledon is carried aloft by the fans (Image: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
"From about March and April I had a lot of people asking if was signing a new contract or if I was going to leave.
"This has been in the pipeline for the last month or so and it has been agreed for probably the last two weeks.
"It has just been a case of getting in to sign it. Now that it is signed it finishes any more speculation on what is going to happen with me.
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"It's not been a great start, but we are working so hard to put it right. The gaffer is making sure it's right so that we are in a good position on a Saturday or a Tuesday night."
"It's not the biggest club in the world, but it is a family club. You only had to be at the parade in Wimbledon to see what the club means to the fans."
AFC Wimbledon have not disclosed the length of Taylor's new deal at Kingsmeadow.
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