The 20-year-old featured regularly for Leeds at youth level after making the move from Everton’s youth system. However, despite his exploits at Thorp Arch, a first-team breakthrough did not materialise.
He was instead allowed to depart in January 2023, when he was reunited with his former Leeds coach Mark Jackson at Milton Keynes Dons. Life away from Leeds did not get off to a great start, as the Dons tumbled out of League One and Jackson was relieved of his duties.
While Jackson has bounced back in style in Australia, Dean has thrived in League Two. He struck 16 goals in 31 league outings last term, endearing himself to the Stadium MK faithful with his tenacity and eye for goal.
According to Football Insider, Toulouse have struck an agreement with the Dons to take Dean to France. The two clubs are said to have settled on a £1.6m fee for the frontman, although Belgian outfit KAA Gent are thought to be in the running too.
Dean, meanwhile, could be on course for a reunion with his former Leeds teammate Charlie Cresswell. The defender has completed a permanent switch to Toulouse, ending a lengthy association with Leeds to do so.
Dean has spoken openly about the influence of his former Leeds coaches Jackson and Marcelo Bielsa on his career. Speaking to Mail Online earlier this year, the forward said: “I absolutely love him [Bielsa]. Without him and Mark Jackson, I don’t think I would have made it. It was crazy but every session was just so detailed, everything down to a ‘T’. I remember one game, we played Wolves away, Bielsa pulled me to the side and I thought, ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen here’.
“He just said ‘really well done’ and I thought there was going to be more but he just walked off. The training was really hard under Bielsa but you could see the benefits of it for the first team and the under-23 team. We were running teams into the ground when it got to the 50th minute.”
