Following his appointment as First-Team Manager, mkdons.com takes a closer look at the successful career of MK Dons boss Russell Martin.
Martin, 33, spent the formative years of his career in the Brighton and Hove Albion Academy, but would leave the East Sussex side in 2004 to join Lewes.
Having departed Lewes at the end of the 2004 season, Martin attended trials with a handful of clubs, before eventually joining Wycombe Wanderers.
He would spend four years with the Chairboys, totalling over 130 appearances and five goals during his stint at Adams Park.
After his contract expired at the end of the 2008/09 season, Martin joined Peterborough United and would captain the club to promotion into the Sky Bet Championship that campaign.
He started the following season with Posh but would depart in November to join Sky Bet League One outfit Norwich City on loan before his move to Carrow Road was made permanent in January 2010.
Martin would go on to earn legend status in Norfolk, with the defender totalling over 300 appearances during his eight-year stay with the Canaries.
During his time with Norwich, Martin earned promotion into the second tier of English football, before going back-to-back as they were promoted into the Premier League at the first time of asking in 2010/11.
After three seasons in the top flight, Norwich’s stay in the Premier League came to an end, however, they bounced back at the first time of asking, with Martin captaining the club to promotion via the play-offs at Wembley. His form that season saw Martin named in the PFA Team of the Year.
Martin would play a further two seasons with Norwich City before joining Scottish giants Rangers on loan for the remainder of the 2017/18 season.
On his return to Carrow Road, Martin had his contract terminated by mutual consent but would leave the Club as a fans favourite.
Next up for Martin was a player-coach role with Sky Bet League One Walsall, where the 33-year-old would stay for six months before departing for family reasons, having made twelve appearances for the Club.
Following his departure, Martin would make the move to Milton Keynes Dons, with the defender signing a permanent deal at Stadium MK on January 15th 2019.
He played a crucial part in the Dons’ Sky Bet League Two promotion-winning campaign, and in the process, became one of a few select players to win promotion from every EFL division.
Although born in England, Martin qualifies for the Scottish national team through his Dad, a country he made 29 appearances for during his career.
Off the pitch, Martin has been completing his UEFA Pro Licence and League Managers’ Association Diploma in Football Management during the last 18 months, and now takes on the reigns as MK Dons manager after making 16 appearances this season.
Martin has also had an interesting life away from football, with the defender venturing into several avenues.
Having become vegan in 2014 for health reasons, Martin is part-owner of Erpingham House, the largest vegan restaurant in the UK.
Elsewhere, Martin has also set up his own charitable foundation in Brighton - the Russell Martin Foundation. The organisation gives kids the chance to play football and work their way into academy football.
