Manchester City academy striker completes permanent EFL League Two move | OneFootball

Will Dickson has joined EFL League Two side Chesterfield on a permanent basis following an enthusiastic loan spell in the east Midlands. 

The 21-year-old’s move marks the end of a five-year stay at the Etihad Stadium, where he signed a scholarship deal in 2021 before stepping up to the Elite Development Squad (EDS) in the 2022-23 campaign. 

A product of the Premier League team’s bespoke academy system, his time in the EDS was full of positive experience, with the attacker scoring 18 goals in 38 appearances. As a result, he signed his first professional contract with the club in July 2023. 

Although the majority of his remaining time in the north-west was spent on the sidelines, Dickson was notably included in Manchester City’s matchday squad for a UEFA Champions League meeting with Slovan Bratislava in October 2024.

Now, after being sent out on loan until the end of the season at Chesterfield, the forward signed a contract on Friday that will keep him at the SMH Group Stadium until the summer of 2027, having made 18 appearances in all competitions under Gary Roberts.

Dickson has scored and provided one assist while alternating as a striker and an attacking midfielder for the Spireites – and his only goal for the club came in a 4-1 home win over Newport County, where he took the ball from his own half before slotting home with confidence. 

Roberts has expressed his delight at the deal, showing a belief that could see Dickson become one of the league’s most threatening forwards.

“Will (Dickson) is 21 years of age and we feel he can develop into a player, who will be really strong for this club,” Roberts said in conversation with Chesterfield’s official channels.

“He’s had a good base coming through Manchester City. We feel he’s got good scope in him to go even better.”

Dickson played 87 times in total for Manchester City across the U18s, U19s and U21s – totalling 37 goals during his time at the City Football Academy.

After an eye-catching stint in City’s youth setup, he was sent out on loan to Scottish side Motherwell, where he made only seven appearances and failed to record a goal contribution in 124 minutes of action. 

Moving to Chesterfield on a full-time basis will undoubtedly provide a feeling of confidence for the striker, who will look to play a much bigger role in the seasons to come as he nears his primitive years as a forward.