MK Dons have completed the signing of Will Grigg, bringing the former striker back to the Football Club on a permanent basis for the first time.
Grigg, 31, joins on a free transfer following his departure from Sunderland in the summer.
The Club’s ninth all-time goalscorer, Grigg has scored 30 goals in 70 appearances across two loan spells at Stadium MK. In each of his two seasons with the Dons, he has won the Goal of the Season award and in the 2014/15 promotion-winning campaign he was the side’s top marksmen.
Across his career, while playing for Walsall, Brentford, Wigan Athletic, Sunderland, Rotherham United and the Dons, Grigg has amassed 455 games and scored 141 goals. He has also been capped 13 times by Northern Ireland.
He becomes the Club’s 10th signing ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
“It’s amazing to be here,” Grigg told iFollow MK Dons. “I’ve had two great loans here but to finally make a permanent move is really exciting and I really appreciate everyone at the Club who has worked hard to make this happen.
“I had quite a few offers on the table but as soon as the interest came from here, it was something that appealed to me massively - this Club has always had a place in my heart but it’s not just about that, it’s also where I think is best for me to score goals and be successful.
“The fans have also been a massive factor. In the first season they were unbelievable with me and while it wasn’t the same in that second spell, I still saw the support through social media. To be able to come back and play in front of the fans again will be fantastic and hopefully we, as a team, can give them something to shout about.”
Born in Solihull, Grigg began his career in non-league before joining Walsall, with whom he turned professional in 2008.
His form with the Saddlers, 28 goals in 109 games, earned him a move to Brentford in July 2013. He spent two seasons at Griffin Park, helping the Bees to promotion from League One in the first year while doing the same for MK Dons the following season, scoring 22 goals.
A move to Wigan Athletic then followed for Grigg and during his three-and-a-half years in Greater Manchester, he netted 65 times – including a 26-goal 2017/18 campaign as he recorded a third career promotion to the second tier.
Grigg signed for Sunderland on Deadline Day in January 2019 and has spent the past three years with the Black Cats. As well as featuring 62 times in the Red & White, he also spent time on loan back on loan with the Dons in 2021 (8 goals in 20 games) and with League One runners-up Rotherham United during the 2021/22 season (6 goals in 28 games).
Sporting Director Liam Sweeting said: “I am delighted to welcome Griggy back for a third spell with the Club – but the first time on a permanent basis. He is someone that everyone at the Club holds in really high regard but, most importantly, will bring quality, understanding and a real goal threat to our group.
“Will has built an incredible career with several promotions from this level and I am really pleased we’re welcoming him back to MK Dons for this next chapter in his journey.”
Head Coach Liam Manning said: “We are pleased to have Griggy on board. He is someone the Club knows well from his time here before but this summer was the first opportunity that we, as a coaching staff, had to work with him.
“We have been impressed with his character, first and foremost, but also what he can offer us at the top end of the pitch. He has shown, in training with us and throughout his career, that he will score goals and bring quality in attacking areas.”
