Milton Keynes Dons are delighted to announce the signing of defender Aden Baldwin.
Baldwin, 24, joins on a free transfer, having spent the past two weeks training with MK Dons following his departure from Bristol City in June.
The right-footed defender, who can play anywhere across the back, has made over 50 career appearances since progressing through the youth set-up at Forest Green Rovers. He joined Bristol City in January 2016 and also spent time on loan in the EFL with Cheltenham Town.
He becomes the Club’s sixth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Scott Twine, Franco Ravizzoli, Josh Martin, Ethan Robson and Max Watters.
“I’m really excited to be signing here,” Baldwin told iFollow MK Dons in his first exclusive interview with the Club: “It’s good to get this done early doors, before the start of the season, and I can’t wait to get started for real.
“I had a spell training here two seasons ago but the Gaffer was happy for me to come back for this pre-season. I like to think I’ve been able to show the manager and the coaching staff what I’m able to do and I’m grateful to now be an MK Dons player.
“I can’t wait to get going now. Hopefully I can get a full pre-season under my belt so I can be all guns blazing for the first game.”
Baldwin joined Forest Green Rovers as a 15-year-old and spent three years in Stroud, playing three times and enjoying a loan spell at Bath City, before being snapped up by Bristol City in January 2016.
He spent the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons on loan with Weston-super-Mare where he totalled 41 appearances and scored two goals. The following campaign, he joined then-League Two side Cheltenham Town on loan, playing four times before an injury sustained at Stadium MK ruled him out for the remainder of his spell with the Gloucestershire Robins.
In February 2020, Baldwin signed a contract extension with Bristol City before immediately heading out on another loan, this time with National League outfit Eastleigh. He played four times for the Spitfires before the season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
An injury prevented the defender from featuring last term but now back fit, Baldwin arrives at MK Dons eager to impress and establish himself in the EFL.
Manager Russell Martin said: “We’ve known of Aden for a while, with Luke (Williams) having worked with him before at Bristol City and having watched him a number of times.
“He came in this summer so we could see where he was at physically and we’ve been impressed with his athleticism but also his attitude and his desire – he’s taken on board what we’ve asked of him.
“He can play anywhere across the backline so provides us with another excellent option in defence. We’re excited about Aden and what he can achieve here.”
Sporting Director Liam Sweeting added: “Aden has proven since the start of pre-season that he is an excellent fit for the type of defender we need at MK Dons under Russ and our style of play.
“He is both aggressive and quick to defend the way we want but also capable on the ball to progress the attack. He is also a very focused and determined character, so we look forward to working with him here and achieving success together.”
