Kai Jennings became Chris Agutter’s second signing since arriving at Sutton when he made the switch from AFC Wimbledon on loan until the new year.
The midfielder is set to add plenty of quality to an already excellent group, and could go straight into the team for Sutton’s trip to Wealdstone.
After taking part in his first training session, Jennings sat down with Sutton United FCtv to discuss his move, and said he’s relishing the opportunity to get started.
“I’m really excited to be here. I want to get going now and just, yeah, hopefully crack on,” he said.
“It came around really quickly, to be fair. I heard glimpses of it on Wednesday and then last night it all happened really quick. Just excited to get going now.”
The midfielder joins with a strong grounding in senior football, having developed through AFC Wimbledon’s academy, where he spent the majority of his youth career.
“I’ve been at Wimbledon since I can remember, five or six, and then came through the academy, became a scholar, everything like that. I made my debut when I was a second year scholar in the FA Cup and then first loan spell was to Whitehawk, down in Brighton, and that gave me good good exposure to men’s football, because it’s a completely different game to to youth football.”
After spells with Walton & Hersham and Farnborough, the energetic midfielder says the experiences helped him adjust to the demands of the men’s game and develop his all-round approach.
“I then moved to Walton & Hersham at the back end of last season and we were pushing to get promoted to step two at the time, which didn’t quite happen, but I loved my time there. It was a really good loan and then this year started at Farnborough, which has been it’s been great as well.”
“It’s all about intensity really, because a lot of players are more than good enough, but it’s just the way you apply yourself. Just working hard every day and trying to push on.”
Describing his playing style, the 20-year-old explained:
“I’m quite energetic, I like to get around in midfield, box to box, hopefully, affecting both ends and I like to try some creative things, but I also don’t mind doing the dirty work as well.”
Reflecting on his early experiences in senior football, he admitted his debut was something of a blur, while his first professional goal remains a standout memory.
“I don’t really remember it at all. It was all a bit of a blur. But yeah, I remember we were winning 5-1 or something like that. So I thought, oh, there’s a chance here. And then, yeah, I got the call, a few minutes to go. It was an unbelievable feeling.”
“That was an amazing feeling, obviously, that game, I come on at half time. I gave away a penalty quite early on, so it wasn’t a great to start but I was just happy to make up for it and again get my first professional goal.”
“That was good, probably one of my best goals I’ve scored as well, took on a few players but yeah like just yeah it’s a great feeling.”
The midfielder is optimistic about his development and determined to make the most of the opportunity ahead.
“It’s good, just keep trying to step up. It was a good push. We probably haven’t started the season the way we would have liked to there, but I’m sure they’ll turn it around. There’s a good group of players, good staff. It was fun for me as well, playing near enough every game at a high level.”
“It’s just a good opportunity now so hopefully I can prove myself. I want to play loads of games, enjoy playing football and hopefully get some goals and assists.”
