Keith Andrews has taken up a first-team coach role on a full-time basis.
Andrews, who captained the Dons to their double-winning success in 2007/08, returned to stadiummk in February as both a player and a support for management team.
However, the 34-year-old will not be registered as a player this season and will instead focus fully on working with the squad in their inaugural Sky Bet Championship campaign, alongside Karl Robinson and Head of Coaching Richie Barker.
Speaking to mkdons.com, Andrews said: “I absolutely love my new role and this is the perfect place for me to start learning.
“I think everybody knows how much I want to be here. It’s where I want to ply my trade and it’s a joy to work with everyone, in particular the young lads who I hope to have a real effect on in terms of coaching and analysis.
He continued: “I’m just obsessed with football. I never switch off for a second – even when I’m watching a game at home on the sofa, I’m analysing it. I’m just looking to evolve as I go along and it certainly won’t be through a lack of effort if I don’t to get to where I want to go to.”
Andrews began his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers and made his senior debut for the Midlands club in March 2000.
He made 72 appearances for Wolves, while also enjoying loan spells at Oxford United, Stoke City and Walsall, before joining Hull City on a free transfer in May 2005.
Andrews spent just one season at the KC Stadium before moving to Milton Keynes during Martin Allen’s reign as Dons boss. The Irishman, who immediately became club captain, featured 40 times for the side that season as they reached the League 2 play-offs.
The following season, with his former Wolves teammate Paul Ince at the helm, Andrews continued to shine, netting 14 goals, including a penalty in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final victory at Wembley Stadium. He also scored the winning goal in the 3-2 triumph against Stockport County, one which secured the Club’s first-ever promotion from League 2.
The playmaker, who won the League 2 Player of the Year award for 2007/08 campaign, made three appearances at the start of the following season before joining Ince at Premier League side Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee.
After his departure, Andrews played in the top tier for the Rovers and West Bromwich Albion, as well as featuring regularly in the Championship for clubs including Ipswich Town, Bolton Wanderers, Brighton & Hove Albion and, more recently, Watford.
He has also played over 30 times for Republic of Ireland and was ever-present during their UEFA Euro 2012 campaign.
Andrews finishes his playing career having made 412 appearances in all competitions for 12 different clubs.
He won two trophies at club level, both with the Dons – the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and the League 2 title – while with the Republic of Ireland, he was able to lift the Nations Cup in 2011.
Andrews was also named League 2 Player of the Year in 2008 and Irish Player of the Year in 2012.
However, the 34-year-old will not be registered as a player this season and will instead focus fully on working with the squad in their inaugural Sky Bet Championship campaign, alongside Karl Robinson and Head of Coaching Richie Barker.
Speaking to mkdons.com, Andrews said: “I absolutely love my new role and this is the perfect place for me to start learning.
“I think everybody knows how much I want to be here. It’s where I want to ply my trade and it’s a joy to work with everyone, in particular the young lads who I hope to have a real effect on in terms of coaching and analysis.
He continued: “I’m just obsessed with football. I never switch off for a second – even when I’m watching a game at home on the sofa, I’m analysing it. I’m just looking to evolve as I go along and it certainly won’t be through a lack of effort if I don’t to get to where I want to go to.”
Andrews began his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers and made his senior debut for the Midlands club in March 2000.
He made 72 appearances for Wolves, while also enjoying loan spells at Oxford United, Stoke City and Walsall, before joining Hull City on a free transfer in May 2005.
Andrews spent just one season at the KC Stadium before moving to Milton Keynes during Martin Allen’s reign as Dons boss. The Irishman, who immediately became club captain, featured 40 times for the side that season as they reached the League 2 play-offs.
The following season, with his former Wolves teammate Paul Ince at the helm, Andrews continued to shine, netting 14 goals, including a penalty in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final victory at Wembley Stadium. He also scored the winning goal in the 3-2 triumph against Stockport County, one which secured the Club’s first-ever promotion from League 2.
The playmaker, who won the League 2 Player of the Year award for 2007/08 campaign, made three appearances at the start of the following season before joining Ince at Premier League side Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee.
After his departure, Andrews played in the top tier for the Rovers and West Bromwich Albion, as well as featuring regularly in the Championship for clubs including Ipswich Town, Bolton Wanderers, Brighton & Hove Albion and, more recently, Watford.
He has also played over 30 times for Republic of Ireland and was ever-present during their UEFA Euro 2012 campaign.
Andrews finishes his playing career having made 412 appearances in all competitions for 12 different clubs.
He won two trophies at club level, both with the Dons – the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and the League 2 title – while with the Republic of Ireland, he was able to lift the Nations Cup in 2011.
Andrews was also named League 2 Player of the Year in 2008 and Irish Player of the Year in 2012.
