mkdons.com lists a number of things you may not know about midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, who has joined the Dons until the end of the season.
Accustomed to the surroundings
Whenever a player signs for a new club, it usually takes them a couple of weeks to bed in with their new surroundings.
It’s a little different for Nigel Reo-Coker, as he’s spent the last three weeks training with Dan Micciche’s side and, as a result of that, will already be used to the stadium, the training ground, the coaching methods and his team-mates.
Wembley Stadium history maker
Reo-Coker featured 23 times for England Under-21s between 2003 and 2007 and became the first Englishman to captain a team at the new Wembley Stadium when England Under-21s faced Italy back in 2007.
A year prior, the midfielder was named on the standby list for England’s 2006 World Cup squad, however, he’d eventually be replaced by Phil Neville as a back injury ruled him out of the tournament.
He would feature for the Young Lions at the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championships – a tournament during which he donned the armband until England were eventually eliminated on penalties by the Netherlands.
MK native
Nigel Reo-Coker has history with Milton Keynes having played at the National Hockey Stadium for Wimbledon during the 2003/04 campaign.
That season, he featured alongside defender Dean Lewington and now-Goalkeeper Coach Paul Heald.
A leader in big games
In 2015, when Montreal Impact reached the final of the CONCACAF Champions League, Reo-Coker captained the team. Impact faced Club America of Mexico and were beaten 5-3 over two legs.
Nine years earlier, Reo-Coker captained West Ham United in the 2006 FA Cup Final, where he led the Hammers out against Liverpool. The game is remembered for Steven Gerrard’s 91st minute goal that forced extra-time, before Liverpool won the Final on penalties.
The season before, Reo-Coker had captained West Ham to promotion from the Championship into the Premier League via the play-offs. He led his side out at Wembley before Bobby Zamora’s second-half goal earned Alan Pardew’s side promotion.
International experience
Reo-Coker has certainly had his fair share of experience throughout his career having played for teams based in Canada, Norway, Spain and England.
After stints with the likes of West Ham and Aston Villa, amongst other clubs, Reo-Coker made the move to Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS in 2013.
He then spent time with Chivas USA before returning to Canada to play for Montreal Impact in December 2014. He’d stay with the Impact until January 2016 before leaving the club on a free transfer.
After a short spell with Granada, Reo-Coker joined Norwegian first division side IK Start before leaving Scandinavia to return to England.
Premier League Veteran
Reo-Coker joins the Dons with plenty of experience to his name.
Having played over 470 career games, the midfielder also boats 200 Premier League appearances to his name.
His experience at the heart of the midfield will no doubt serve the Dons well.
