Dales in dreamland after turning pro

The Iron won the race for 23-year-old former Derby County trainee on Friday, signing him for an undisclosed fee that broke the EVO-STIK League Premier Division club's record transfer fee.

Called up to the England ‘C’ team for a friendly against an Ireland Amateur XI in May, the flying winger scored 23 goals last season and was selected in the 2017-18 EVO-STIK League Premier Division Team of the Year by the top flight's managers.

Dales, who is believed to have caught the eye of several Football League clubs and Scunthorpe's scouts while playing at Jamie Vardy’s V9 Academy this summer, penned a two-year deal at Glanford Park before linking up with his new teammates for the start of pre-season training this weekend.

The transfer is subject to FA and EFL ratification and Dales told the League One club's website: "I want to be at a team who are up there and hopefully I can show the manager what I've been doing in the past few seasons in Non-League. I just want to get into the squad to start with and it goes from there."

‏@MickleoverSFC tweeted: "Last season's top scorer Andy Dales has joined Sky Bet League One side @SUFCOfficial for a club record sale. Dales is arguably one of the best players to wear the Sports shirt and we wish him all the success for the future."

Dales was also congratulated by the NPL Football Academy after playing a key role coaching Mickleover's title-winning students at Station Road over the last three years.

@NPLFA tweeted: "Everyone at the #NPLFA is delighted to hear this. Dalesy has been @MickleoverSFC Academy coach for the last three seasons and has been a great coach and mentor for our Sports’ students."

Images courtesy of @SUFCOfficial/Twitter

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