Twenty-three-year-old winger Andy Dales has been signed by League One club Scunthorpe United from Mickleover Sports on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
Dales, who was selected in the Evo-Stik NPL Team of the Year, apparently had been tracked for over a year by the Iron.
He was also called up to play for the England C team v an Ireland Amateur XI in May.
Dales joined the Derby County Academy at the age of nine, he was released by the Rams after he turned 19.
He told the Derby Telegraph: "Not everyone can go through the same route.
"Not everybody can go from being in an academy and play for the first team straight away.
"Some people drop out of it and into the non league, working their way back up.
"I've done that that and can't wait to get started in the EFL now, last season was one of my better ones. I scored 23 goals in the end and it was really good year for me.
"I just want to get into the squad to start with and see how it goes from there, I want to impress the crowd and play football."
In 2016/17 he scored seven goals from 42 appearances; last season he scored 23 goals to earn a big move back into the Football League.
He has good ball control, an eye for goal and likes to play football on the floor.
"Dales is arguably one of the best players to wear the Sports shirt and we wish him all the success in the future," said a statement from the club regarding his departure.
Talking points: Another example of local Derbyshire talent
It just shows what you can achieve with hard work, determination and belief.
It gives hope to other players that released by league clubs; having spent four years in the non-league, he has got his reward.
It's great to see a player from a non-league local club in Derbyshire get a big move to a league club.
Kyle McFadzean currently plays League One for Burton Albion, and he was at Alfreton playing in the Conference North, where he then worked his way up the leagues.
Striker Ross Hannah scored 90 goals between 2009-2011 in Northern Premier League for Matlock Town, and at the end of season he was out of contract when League One club Bradford City signed him up.
Hopefully there will be more players in the future making it into League Football from local non-league clubs. Players like Dales show it is possible.
Comments