Tooting & Mitcham United have landed something of a coup by signing Terry Dixon, who broke into the Republic of ireland squad as a 16-year-old.

The former Tottenham & West Ham youngster, who is still only 21, made his Terrors debut as a substitute in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Lowestoft Town.

A knee injury has blighted his career but Dixon was a substitute in the Stevenage team that knocked AFC Wimbledon out of the FA Cup last November and continued his rehabilitation by joining Ware in February.

Terrors boss Mark Beard said: “We have a great crop of youngsters here and Terry will fit right in.

“Having had a serious injury a couple of years ago he needs games to help his fitness and I feel I can help him move back into league football.”

The 6ft 1in football was labelled a “special talent with great potential” by then Ireland boss Steve Staunton when he called him into his full squad in 2006.

He has also represented Ireland U16, U17 and U21 and will be at Imperial Fields until the end of the season.

“You don’t get called into the Republic of Ireland squad at 16 years of age if you haven’t got talent,” added Beard.

“He is good friends with our left-back Michael Noone so he helped to persuade him to come here.”

The Terrors (Tuesday) host Folkestone Invicta tomorrow and Maidstone on Saturday.