Doncaster Rovers & Spurs could hit the jackpot with transfer agreement - early evidence is so exciting | OneFootball

Damola Ajayi has hit the ground running at Doncaster Rovers.

Damola Ajayi has hit the ground running at Doncaster Rovers, with three goals in two pre-season outings.

The Tottenham attacker, who has joined the newly-promoted Sky Bet League One outfit for the full 2025/26 season, struck in his debut before netting a brace to follow it up.

While it is only pre-season, the early evidence is very exciting for all involved, with Ajayi making a good first impression at his new club.

Damola Ajayi has hit the ground running at Doncaster Rovers

It has been an unconventional approach to pre-season for Doncaster, with a game of two 60-minute halves and a day containing two matches in the space of only a few hours already taking place.

The main aim is getting minutes into the legs of the Rovers players, while also giving the slew of new recruits a chance to get used to their new surroundings and teammates.

Spurs youngster Ajayi has taken full advantage of that, transitioning seamlessly into his first loan excursion away from the Premier League outfit's academy. Alongside fellow new signing Brandon Hanlan, Ajayi made an instant impression by scoring in Doncaster's first outing of pre-season away to Alfreton Town.

That got the ball rolling for the teenager, who immediately sparked excitement among the Rovers faithful.

His second game saw a double scored away to Lincolnshire's Stamford AFC. The Spurs youngster, who found the back of the net in the triumphant Europa League campaign for his parent club last term, neatly polished off his first goal.

He added a great finish to double his account, showing individual quality to curl an effort from around 25-yards out into the side-netting.

It may only be a couple of pre-season friendlies, but the impression Ajayi has made is a wholly positive one. Not just for his goals either, with his skillfulness and trickery on display for all to see in the glimpses fans have been exposed to.

Positive signs for Grant McCann, but also Tottenham

It comes as a real boost for Rovers first and foremost, with manager Grant McCann surely licking his lips at the prospect of a summer signing hitting the ground running.

Doncaster have been busy in the transfer market, adding close to double-digits of new recruits after winning the League Two crown last season.

The early signs from the likes of Ajayi show that the summer business may well prove to be quality work from McCann and the higher-ups at the Eco-Power Stadium, while former Wycombe Wanderers striker Brandon Hanlan and Dundee United winger Glenn Middleton have also shone early on.

The 19-year-old Ajayi has creativity and confidence in his ability, standing him in good stead to turn his positive outings during friendlies into impactful work in the regular season.

But, the early signs are not just good for his temporary home. For Spurs, they show positive signs too, with Ajayi being one of the biggest prospects coming out of the club's academy.

He made a nine-minute cameo against Swedish side Elfsborg, netting in front of the home Tottenham Hotspur Stadium crowd in European competition. So, clearly, the club have high hopes for him to give him such an opportunity.

The winger has a good track record of goalscoring, including in the North London club's under-18s side, where he managed 13 goals across 22 appearances in the 2023/24 term.

Now, Ajayi is making his mark in South Yorkshire. If the early impressions are anything to go by, then Doncaster may have hit the jackpot in their loan agreement for the Tottenham starlet.