mkdons.com takes a look at all the ins and outs at stadiummk following the close of the transfer window on Monday night.
Ins – 8
Karl Robinson began his summer recruitment with the signing of winger Danny Green on a two-year deal, following his release from Charlton Athletic. The 26-year-old spent time on loan at stadiummk in 2013/14 and clearly did enough to persuade the Dons to acquire his services on a permanent basis.
The next man through the door was Mark Randall who, after joining the Club on a short-term deal last season, was signed to a one-year deal with the option for a further year in mid-June. Randall, a former Arsenal trainee, provides tremendous cover for the Dons in central midfield.
Kyle McFadzean then became Robinson’s first purchase of the window when he signed a two-year deal following a move from Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old has already formed a solid partnership with fellow centre-back Antony Kay and also scored two goals.
On 1st July, the Dons made their move for promising young striker Tom Hitchcock and signed him to a three-year deal. The former QPR man scored nine goals in 19 appearances in 2013/14 and showed glimpses of his goal scoring potential during pre-season.
The signing of Hitchcock was then followed by the capture of another striker, Northern Ireland international Will Grigg, who agreed a season-long loan with the Dons in mid-July. The forward has already scored three goals this season, including a brace against Manchester United in the Capital One Cup.
In early August, Robinson signed his third striker of the summer by bringing Arsenal’s Benik Afobe in on loan for the entire 2014/15 campaign. The highly-rated youngster has also started the campaign in fine form, netting five goals in just seven games.
Just two days later, the Dons completed the signing of Samir Carruthers from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee - the attacking midfielder penned a three-year deal. Carruthers, who enjoyed a spell on loan at stadiummk in 2013/14, has recently recovered from a thigh injury and made his first start since rejoining in the win over Man Utd.
Jordan Spence then became the Club’s final capture of the summer when he agreed a one-year deal with an option of a further 12 months two weeks ago, following his departure from West Ham United. The defender impressed fans and the management alike during his time on loan last season and will help provide excellent depth at the back.
Recap:
Danny Green – two-year deal, free
Mark Randall – one-year deal with an option, free
Kyle McFadzean – two-year deal, undisclosed fee from Crawley Town
Tom Hitchcock – three-year deal, free
Will Grigg – season-long loan from Brentford
Benik Afobe – season-long loan from Arsenal
Samir Carruthers – three-year deal, undisclosed fee from Aston Villa
Jordan Spence – one-year deal with an option, free
Contract extensions - 7
The Dons started their summer by offering four professional deals to Charlie Burns, Harry Hickford, Will Summerfield and Charlie Burns, all of whom spent time with the first-team during the pre-season tour to Dublin. The quartet, who have yet to feature in a competitive fixture this season, all provide exciting options for Robinson, who has never been afraid to use young players.
Defender Antony Kay agreed to extend his stay in Milton Keynes in late May by penning a new one-year deal. The Yorkshire man has been with the Club since 2012 and has made a total of 83 appearances so far.
The Dons also triggered the one-year option in the contract of right-back Lee Hodson, to keep the Northern Ireland international at stadiummk until June 2015.
One of the best bits of business done by the Dons this season, however, was securing the services of last season’s Player of the Year Ben Reeves to a new two-year deal. The 22-year-old, who finished 2013/14 with 11 goals in 35 appearances to his name, committed his future to the Club until 2016.
Outs – 6
Robinson revealed in late May that Alan Smith and Ryan Hall were not to be offered new contracts and were free to leave the Football Club upon the expiry of their contracts. Smith made 83 appearances during his time at stadiummk while Hall featured just 11 times during a short spell in Milton Keynes. Smith has since joined Notts County and Hall has signed for Rotherham United.
Striker Izale McLeod also departed this summer after he and the Club mutually agreed not to activate an option in his contract for a further year. Still the Dons’ all-time leading goalscorer, McLeod joined Crawley Town in August and returned to stadiummk this past weekend with the Red Devils.
One player who was offered a contract during the off season was Stephen Gleeson but the midfielder, instead, opted for a switch to Championship side Birmingham City. Gleeson finished with 206 Dons game to his name, making him the Club’s third all-time appearance maker.
The Dons also waved goodbye to another long-serving player this summer in Luke Chadwick, who signed for Cambridge United after he and the club mutually agreed to end his contract at stadiummk. The former Manchester United man spent over six years with the Club and had his chance to say goodbye during the pre-season friendly at R Costings Abbey Stadium back in July.
The Club’s final outgoing of the window, saw youngster Brendan Galloway join Everton for an undisclosed fee. The England Under-19 international expressed signed a five-year deal with the Goodison Park outfit.
Recap - 6
Luke Chadwick – free transfer to Cambridge United
Ryan Hall – free transfer to Rotherham United
Izale McLeod – free transfer to Crawley Town
Alan Smith – free transfer to Notts County
Stephen Gleeson – free transfer to Birmingham City
Brendan Galloway – undisclosed fee to Everton
Karl Robinson began his summer recruitment with the signing of winger Danny Green on a two-year deal, following his release from Charlton Athletic. The 26-year-old spent time on loan at stadiummk in 2013/14 and clearly did enough to persuade the Dons to acquire his services on a permanent basis.
The next man through the door was Mark Randall who, after joining the Club on a short-term deal last season, was signed to a one-year deal with the option for a further year in mid-June. Randall, a former Arsenal trainee, provides tremendous cover for the Dons in central midfield.
Kyle McFadzean then became Robinson’s first purchase of the window when he signed a two-year deal following a move from Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old has already formed a solid partnership with fellow centre-back Antony Kay and also scored two goals.
On 1st July, the Dons made their move for promising young striker Tom Hitchcock and signed him to a three-year deal. The former QPR man scored nine goals in 19 appearances in 2013/14 and showed glimpses of his goal scoring potential during pre-season.
The signing of Hitchcock was then followed by the capture of another striker, Northern Ireland international Will Grigg, who agreed a season-long loan with the Dons in mid-July. The forward has already scored three goals this season, including a brace against Manchester United in the Capital One Cup.
In early August, Robinson signed his third striker of the summer by bringing Arsenal’s Benik Afobe in on loan for the entire 2014/15 campaign. The highly-rated youngster has also started the campaign in fine form, netting five goals in just seven games.
Just two days later, the Dons completed the signing of Samir Carruthers from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee - the attacking midfielder penned a three-year deal. Carruthers, who enjoyed a spell on loan at stadiummk in 2013/14, has recently recovered from a thigh injury and made his first start since rejoining in the win over Man Utd.
Jordan Spence then became the Club’s final capture of the summer when he agreed a one-year deal with an option of a further 12 months two weeks ago, following his departure from West Ham United. The defender impressed fans and the management alike during his time on loan last season and will help provide excellent depth at the back.
Recap:
Danny Green – two-year deal, free
Mark Randall – one-year deal with an option, free
Kyle McFadzean – two-year deal, undisclosed fee from Crawley Town
Tom Hitchcock – three-year deal, free
Will Grigg – season-long loan from Brentford
Benik Afobe – season-long loan from Arsenal
Samir Carruthers – three-year deal, undisclosed fee from Aston Villa
Jordan Spence – one-year deal with an option, free
Contract extensions - 7
The Dons started their summer by offering four professional deals to Charlie Burns, Harry Hickford, Will Summerfield and Charlie Burns, all of whom spent time with the first-team during the pre-season tour to Dublin. The quartet, who have yet to feature in a competitive fixture this season, all provide exciting options for Robinson, who has never been afraid to use young players.
Defender Antony Kay agreed to extend his stay in Milton Keynes in late May by penning a new one-year deal. The Yorkshire man has been with the Club since 2012 and has made a total of 83 appearances so far.
The Dons also triggered the one-year option in the contract of right-back Lee Hodson, to keep the Northern Ireland international at stadiummk until June 2015.
One of the best bits of business done by the Dons this season, however, was securing the services of last season’s Player of the Year Ben Reeves to a new two-year deal. The 22-year-old, who finished 2013/14 with 11 goals in 35 appearances to his name, committed his future to the Club until 2016.
Outs – 6
Robinson revealed in late May that Alan Smith and Ryan Hall were not to be offered new contracts and were free to leave the Football Club upon the expiry of their contracts. Smith made 83 appearances during his time at stadiummk while Hall featured just 11 times during a short spell in Milton Keynes. Smith has since joined Notts County and Hall has signed for Rotherham United.
Striker Izale McLeod also departed this summer after he and the Club mutually agreed not to activate an option in his contract for a further year. Still the Dons’ all-time leading goalscorer, McLeod joined Crawley Town in August and returned to stadiummk this past weekend with the Red Devils.
One player who was offered a contract during the off season was Stephen Gleeson but the midfielder, instead, opted for a switch to Championship side Birmingham City. Gleeson finished with 206 Dons game to his name, making him the Club’s third all-time appearance maker.
The Dons also waved goodbye to another long-serving player this summer in Luke Chadwick, who signed for Cambridge United after he and the club mutually agreed to end his contract at stadiummk. The former Manchester United man spent over six years with the Club and had his chance to say goodbye during the pre-season friendly at R Costings Abbey Stadium back in July.
The Club’s final outgoing of the window, saw youngster Brendan Galloway join Everton for an undisclosed fee. The England Under-19 international expressed signed a five-year deal with the Goodison Park outfit.
Recap - 6
Luke Chadwick – free transfer to Cambridge United
Ryan Hall – free transfer to Rotherham United
Izale McLeod – free transfer to Crawley Town
Alan Smith – free transfer to Notts County
Stephen Gleeson – free transfer to Birmingham City
Brendan Galloway – undisclosed fee to Everton
