Dons confirm Ayoub Assal’s club-record transfer to Al-Wakrah

AFC Wimbledon have confirmed that Ayoub Assal has completed his move to Qatar Stars League side Al-Wakrah.

Our paper understands that the Dons could receive north of £1million for Assal from the Qatari-based side – a club record in the AFC Wimbledon era.

Assal scored 10 goals and registered five assists in all competitions this season under Johnnie Jackson, but had not featured for the South Londoners since the start of the January window.

The 21-year-old made his first-team league debut under head coach Mark Robinson in March 2021 and has made 97 appearances and recorded 37 goal contributions in all competitions for the Dons.

Speaking to the club’s official website, chairman Mick Buckley said: “It is always difficult when one of our ‘own’ moves on and I would like to wish him well as he starts a new chapter in Qatar.

“It was always our plan to find a win-win exit deal for Ayoub during the summer transfer window to help fund a competitive budget for next season. Sadly, the buyout clause in his contract was activated, but happily, it’s a record transfer fee received by the club since we reformed back in 2002.

“Looking forward, in terms of this transfer window, we had already increased the budget to bring in reinforcements and will continue to be active until 11pm on Tuesday, further players will arrive only if Johnnie Jackson and Craig Cope believe they are the right players at the right price. We will update further after the weekend.”