MK Dons have secured the signing of midfielder Ethan Robson on a free transfer.
Robson, who spent time on loan at Stadium MK last season, will join the Club when his contract with Blackpool expires at the end of June.
The 25-year-old midfielder impressed during his 23 appearances for the Dons in 2021/22, playing a key role as Liam Manning’s men made a strong start to their campaign.
A Sunderland Academy graduate, who has enjoyed spells at Dundee and Grimsby as well as with the Dons and Blackpool, Robson has totalled 115 career games to date and scored eight goals.
He becomes the Club’s second signing of the summer, following on from the arrival of striker Matt Dennis.
“I’m over the moon,” Robson told iFollow MK Dons in his first interview since returning to the Club. “I think everybody knew how much I wanted to return in January but I’m back now and delighted to kick on.
“I really enjoyed my time here. The manager, the staff and the players are great and something really special has been created here. To be a part of that moving forwards is great and I’m really excited.
“The fans have been brilliant with me. I feel like I bonded with them during my short time here last season, so I’m looking forward to playing in front of them again and hopefully we can give them plenty to shout about.”
Robson began his career with Sunderland, progressing through the Black Cats Academy before making his senior debut in an EFL Cup tie with Everton in September
The following two seasons saw the midfielder spend time out on loan, first with Scottish Premiership side Dundee where he scored two goals in 13 games for the Dark Blues, and then with Grimsby Town in Sky Bet League Two where he played 21 matches, netting three times.
Robson left Sunderland at the end of the 2020/21 campaign and opted to join Blackpool on two-year deal. In his first season in Lancashire, he totalled 36 appearances as they secured promotion to the Championship via the play-offs.
Joining MK Dons on loan at the start of last season, Robson played 23 times and contributed two goals, including the decisive strike in the 1-0 win over Portsmouth at Stadium MK. His impressive form saw him recalled by the Tangerines in January but he returns to Milton Keynes this summer, now as a permanent MK Dons player.
Sporting Director Liam Sweeting said: “Ethan was a player we were eager to bring back to the Football Club after seeing the impact he made for us last season. It was no secret that we wanted him to return in January but we are pleased to now have the opportunity to work with him again, this time on a permanent basis.
“We saw in his appearances last season that he is an ideal fit for the way we like to play, both in possession and out of possession. Off the pitch too, he fits the character profile that we want here at MK Dons.
“I am very much looking forward to seeing him back in an MK Dons shirt and contributing like he did in the first half of last season.”
Head Coach Liam Manning added: “I’m delighted Ethan has decided to re-join us. He had a huge impact on the pitch for us, as the fans saw, but also behind-the-scenes where he had a close bond with the players and the staff.
“As we move into this coming season, we want to ensure we build on the positives of the last campaign and signing someone like Ethan allows us to, hopefully, head in that direction.”
