Milton Keynes Dons are delighted to announce the loan signing of Luton Town defender Peter Kioso.
Kioso returns to the Club where he began his career, having come through the MK Dons Academy. He will spend the full 2021/22 season on loan at Stadium MK.
The 22-year-old right back, who enjoyed an excellent spell with Hartlepool United after leaving the Dons in 2017, has made 38 EFL appearances for Luton, Bolton Wanderers and Northampton Town and has scored six goals.
He becomes the Club’s 10th signing of the transfer window, which closes at 11pm tonight.
“It’s great to be back,” Kioso told mkdons.com. “I’ve always kept tabs on the Club and it feels like it was written in the stars for me to come back at some point.
“I remember watching games at Stadium MK as a youth team player and seeing the likes of Dele Alli and George Baldock. I can’t wait to come back and play on this great pitch and in front of the MK Dons supporters.
“I’ve had some good conversations with the Gaffer and he is one of the main reasons why I decided to come back to MK Dons. Once I spoke to him and I knew his plans for me and the team, it felt like the right thing to do.
“I am very excited to get going once again and I’m determined to work hard and do what I can to help the Club achieve something this season.
Born in Dublin, Kioso moved to Milton Keynes in 2010 before joining the MK Dons Academy at the age of 14. He worked his way up to the Under-18s but was released without the offer of a professional contract in 2017.
The defender enjoyed a short spell with Dunstable Town before joining then-National League side Hartlepool United, with whom he totalled 70 appearances and scored four goals.
His performances in the North East caught the attention of Luton Town, who signed him for an undisclosed fee in January 2020. He made his debut for the Hatters later in the 2019/20 season before heading on loan to Bolton Wanderers in October that year.
Kioso played 14 games for Bolton, and scored three goals, helping the Greater Manchester outfit establish themselves as promotion-contenders in League Two. Recalled by Luton in January, he then made a loan switch to Northampton Town where spent the final four months of last term, scoring three goals in 21 appearances.
At the start of this campaign, Kioso has featured four times for Luton including three starts. He was awarded Man of the Match for his display in the Bedfordshire side’s 1-0 win over Barnsley just two weeks ago.
Head Coach Liam Manning said of Kioso's arrival: “We are delighted that Peter has agreed to join us for the season.
“He compliments our squad due to is character and drive to get better while he can also play in a few positions which is a real strength of his. His history with the Club and the fact that he is from the area are both huge positives as well.”
Sporting Director Liam Sweeting added: “We’re really pleased to be able to welcome Peter Kioso back to the Club.
“When sitting down with Liam to discuss who we would like to bring in before the deadline, Peter quickly became our number one target so we are delighted to get this deal over the line before 11pm.
“He’s obviously somebody we know really well from his time in our Academy. We have all been impressed by how he’s bounced back to establish himself in the EFL, and his qualities and versatility will be a real addition to us at Stadium MK.”
