DOMINIC GAPE has signed a permanent deal with Wycombe Wanderers after a successful loan spell this season.

The midfielder became a hit with the Adams Park faithful during his loan spell from Southampton, having signed on deadline day in August, and returned to his parent club at the end of the loan last Tuesday. 

But manager Gareth Ainsworth has pulled off a major coup in securing a two-and-a-half-year deal for the 21-year-old, who made his full debut against Stourbridge on Saturday.

Ainsworth said: “This is a significant piece of business for us, not just bringing Dom back to the club but getting him on our books as a Wycombe Wanderers player. 

“We were delighted to get him in August because we knew a lot about him and he very quickly became an important member of the team. He’s a ball winner who’s confident in possession and he fits right in to the culture of hard work that we’ve got here. 

“The deal took a lot of hard work from myself and the chairman, but it was all worthwhile because we want this squad to be as strong as it can be and Dom has a big part to play here.” 

The news was announced in the Caledonian Suite before kick-off on Saturday, catching supporters by surprise who were expecting a Q&A with the departed loanee. 

Meanwhile, Danny Rowe has moved out on loan to National League side Barrow for the rest of the season.

Ainsworth said: “Danny’s found it hard to get back into the team here because we’ve got real competition for places in midfield, so it’s important for him to get more first-team experience and he’ll get that at a good level at Barrow, where he had a spell on loan last season.”