Youngsters Jim Fenlon and Frankie Merrifield are targeting senior debuts next season after signing professional contracts with AFC Wimbledon.

The two 18-year-olds put pen-to-paper last week having come through the Dons academy ranks after joining at U16 level two years ago.

Huw Johnson emerged from the youth team to make his debut last year and now right-back Fenlon and midfielder Merrifield want to follow his example.

“I was happy for Huw when he made his first-team debut and I was there watching him,” said Merrifield, who signed a short-term professional deal last December.

“That encouraged me to push on and try and do better.

“I have trained with the first-team a couple of times and I cannot wait to start full-time training with them in pre-season.”

Fenlon was playing in Australia until he moved back to London two years ago and joined up with the Dons academy.

“The standard in Australia was quite good, but it is a lot quicker here,” he said.

“Head of youth Mark Robinson has helped me with my tackling and heading to make me a better player and, hopefully, I can do well training with the first-team and get a chance to show what I can do.”

Manager Terry Brown added: “I am pleased to announce we have signed two of our best young players.

“They will now come on board with the first-team squad during pre-season and hopefully they can play a part in League Two.”

The first of two Dons Trust meetings about the future of Kingsmeadow and a proposed move back to Merton takes place at the Wimbledon Community Centre, tonight – the second is on June 12.