MK Dons have agreed a deal to sign right-back Cameron Norman on a free transfer.
Norman, 27, will officially join the Football Club when his contract with Newport County expires at the end of June.
A product of Norwich City’s Academy, Norman has totalled 161 EFL appearances so far in his career, including 92 with the Exiles during a two-year spell at Rodney Parade. He has also represented Walsall and Oxford United in the EFL, as well as Woking, Norwich United, Concord Rangers, Needham Market and King’s Lynn Town in non-league.
Norman was named Newport County’s Player of the Year last season – a campaign in which he played 53 games, scored five goals and provided five assists. He also ranked within League Two’s Top 10 for aerial duels, crosses, dribbles, passes to the final and fouls won - leading the division in the latter category.
He becomes Graham Alexander’s second signing this summer, following the arrival of Alex Gilbey at the end of last month.
“I’m really glad to get this deal done,” Norman said in an exclusive interview with iFollow MK Dons. “It’s been in the pipeline for a little while so to get to the stadium and sign is very exciting and I can’t wait to get started.
“I had some interest from other clubs but after I spoke with the manager, and he ran me through the goals and ambitions he had for the team, I couldn’t get the idea of coming here out of my head and I wanted to get it done.
“I’m hungry to achieve and I know that everybody else who will be here this season will feel the same way. Hopefully we can have a successful season and I will be doing everything I can to help drive that.”
Born in Norwich, Norman began his career with his hometown club, helping the Canaries win the FA Youth Cup in 2013 before signing his first professional contract the following year. During his time at Carrow Road, he spent time on loan at Woking, making 27 National League appearances for the Cardinals.
Norman left Norwich City in June 2016 and spent time in non-league with Norwich United, Concord Rangers, Needham Market and King’s Lynn Town. In his one and only season with the latter, he scored seven goals in 51 games.
The right-back’s form at The Walks earned up him a move back into the EFL, signing with Oxford United in May 2018. He spent 18 months at the Kassam Stadium, playing 12 times, before joining Walsall for an undisclosed fee.
Norman made 72 appearances during his two-and-a-half year stint with the Saddlers – a stint which came to an end following the 2020/21 season. He was quickly snapped up that summer, signing a two-year deal with Newport County in June 2021.
Playing every Sky Bet League Two fixture for the Exiles in his debut season, Norman repeated the feat last term, taking his total number of games played, including cup competitions, to the century mark. He directly contributing to 15 goals while with the Welsh club, finding the net on six occasions as well as providing nine assists.
Norman was named Newport County’s Player of the Year last season – a campaign in which he ranked inside League Two’s top 10 in a number of key categories, including crosses, dribbles and passes to the final third.
Head Coach Graham Alexander said of his new signing: “First and foremost, he is a good player at a good age. He has an excellent playing record over the last few years and he will give us a real attacking threat from a defensive position.
“With Cameron, there is a really good player already there, with a lot of good attributes, but there are also areas in which we feel he can still improve – and he wants to improve too.
“When I spoke to him, he was really positive about joining what we’re trying to do here. He’s an ambitious person who wants to play at a higher level, and he wants to play at a higher level with this Club.”
