2026-27 Recruitment Plan for AFC Wimbledon

Player Decisions

Retain

Nathan Bishop, Ryan Johnson, Marcus Browne, Alistair Smith, Matty Stevens, Antwoine Hackford, Delano McCoy-Splatt, Osman Foyo, Joe McDonnell, Riley Horan, Ed Leach, Junior Nkeng, Isaac Ogundere, Myles Hippolyte, Aron Sasu, Jake Reeves, Kai Jennings, Steve Seddon, Harry Sidwell

Lose

Callum Maycock, Joe Lewis, Patrick Bauer, Omar Bugiel

Release

Sam Hutchinson, Josh Kelly, Leo Young, Ethan Sutcliffe

Loan End

Nathan Asiimwe, James Tilley, Brody Hughes, Layton Stewart, Zack Nelson

Retained Squad

New Signings

Tennai Watson (Barnsley – free)

The first player that I have picked out in this piece as a prospective signing for The Dons in the summer is Tennai Watson. The defender finished the campaign at fellow League One side Barnsley, yet The Tykes have already had their fair share of departures. Watson is another that I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see move on to pastures new ahead of going into 2026-27, and I think that he could represent a good option for AFC Wimbledon. 

For the type of player that I expect The Dons to target signing, I think that Watson provides a number of the requisite ‘ticks in the box’. The 29-year-old boasts a wealth of Football League experience, having amassed just over 200 professional appearances over a 10-year career that has largely seen him play at League One. Craig Cope doesn’t often have the privilege of signing ‘tried and tested’ and proven League One players, and so Watson would definitely be useful in this sense. He is 29, and so by no means a ‘project’ that they often sign. 

Given that AFC Wimbledon are still trying to find their feet in League One, I feel that it would be a coup for The Dons if they are to attract a player of Watson’s quality ahead of him re-signing with The Tykes. However, I think that signing the experienced defender would definitely be the profile that could elevate The Dons’ level. Having established themselves in the league last season, I think that the key in them taking that ‘next step’ is going to be able to sign a nucleus of players who have ‘been there and done it’ in terms of ‘raising the floor’. 

In terms of his playing style, I think that Watson has got all of the attributes that you would typically look for in an attacking, modern-day full-back. While he has played in a back four, I feel that his best work has come as a wing-back whereby he has got the tactical freedom to get forward and contribute in the attacking phases. If I were Craig Cope and Johnnie Jackson, I would be looking to sign that out-and-out wing-back that has got the pace and power to really provide an outlet in carrying the ball from deep and getting up on the overlap. 

As a player, Watson is an incredible athlete, with high energy, good running power, and is a straight-line, direct runner that will drive the ball to goal. While he can play on either side of the pitch, I feel that he is at his most effective when playing on the right-hand side whereby he can provide natural width as an outlet on the outside. 

Watson is originally from London, and so the opportunity for him to sign for AFC Wimbledon could well be an option that is attractive to the experienced defender. Stylistically, signing for a club that operates with a back three is going to get the best out of him, and the right-hand side is definitely an area in which they could strengthen. As such, I think that AFC Wimbledon should be one of the front-runners for Jackson to sign. 

The 29-year-old is currently out of contract, and is yet to re-sign with The Tykes. I think that AFC Wimbledon should be looking to sign players of Watson’s pedigree if they are to progress in League One, and so I feel that Cope should go all out to sign him.

Steven Sessegnon (Wigan Athletic – free)

One avenue that AFC Wimbledon have to utilise in their recruitment is signing players that are perhaps of low stock as a result of having an underwhelming campaign, yet trusting themselves to get them ‘back to their best’. Low-risk, high-reward deals that might provide The Dons with value for money. One player that I think falls into that category that might be of interest to The Dons is Steven Sessegnon. 

Sessegnon comes off the back of a tough campaign with Wigan Athletic, and I think it is fair to say that the 26-year-old has perhaps lost his way in recent years having broken through as a highly-rated youngster at Fulham. He needs to find an environment in which he can get back to playing regular football and to the level which he has shown previously, and so he may well view The Dons as being a good opportunity for him to do that. He might not get another opportunity at League One level having been let go by Wigan Athletic, and so AFC Wimbledon may well be able to use that to their advantage in landing him. 

As a profile, Sessegnon is ideal for playing as a wing-back given that he is a good athlete, quick, a powerful runner, and is an efficient ball-carrier. When his team have got the ball, Sessegnon operates almost as a winger given his willingness to play forward and his direct running and so provides The Dons with that natural width. If The Dons are to get the best out of the system that they play, having players in that wing-back berth that are positive in their running, look to get up in support of the play and have got the athleticism suited to transitions is key. 

In terms of his attributes, I think that he represents a good profile to complement Steve Seddon on that left-hand side given that he is more physical and mobile than Seddon. Seddon is your technical, high-volume crosser that can play forward, yet Sessegnon is the type of player that wants to attack space, hit the byline, commit players and be more dynamic in carrying at speed. As two options in the full-back area, I feel that would give AFC Wimbledon the best of both worlds. 

One of the major reasons as to why I think Sessegnon is a good option for AFC Wimbledon is the fact that the experienced full-back is capable of playing on both sides of the pitch. The Dons have got to try and find value for money in the signings that they make, and so signing a player with the versatility to be used in different positions can provide The Dons with good options. The Dons play with wing-backs, and Sessegnon can fit into either wing-back role.

A lot of teams will have overlooked Sessegnon as a potential signing this summer due to the fact that he has had time out through injury and has had a stop-start campaign for The Latics, and it is for this very reason why I would make a move for him if I were Craig Cope. He is a very capable player, and off the back of his past 12-18 months they’d likely be able to get a player for less outlay than they would have done prior. He is still a very talented player, and I think he could represent a good pickup.

Benjamin Arthur (Brentford – loan)

One area in which I am expecting The Dons to do a fair bit of work during the summer in terms of strengthening is centre-back. In particular, I feel that Craig Cope will be looking to add a right-sided defender that can play on the right of the back three. One option that I would be looking at as a prospective signing and would mean a foray into the loan market is Brentford’s Benjamin Arthur. 

The Bees are typically fairly selective in who they loan their young players to, and they are diligent in ensuring that any player that does depart goes into an environment that a) is a good stylistic fit and b) will get regular minutes. 

In terms of his profile, I think that Benjamin Arthur has got all of the requisite ticks against his name that I would typically look for when trying to identify a centre-back, especially one to play in a three. He is an imposing physical defender. Despite his size, he is fairly mobile and a powerful runner that covers ground efficiently. He is a comfortable ball-player. 

If I am Johnnie Jackson, I am looking at areas in which they can improve going into 2026-27 and elevate the sum of their parts to allow them to be competitive at a higher level in League One. I feel a right-sided defender would definitely do that as it would allow them to play a higher line, take more risk in their defending, and for the wing-backs to play higher. In order to do that and to really get full effect out of their 3-5-2 system, I feel they need a centre-back on that right-hand side that is comfortable playing out under pressure, quick enough to track runners, can play in the wide areas and in covering space, and is good defending 1v1. 

I don’t expect Arthur will be short of loan enquiries during the summer as he is a player that represents a bit of an ‘all-round profile’ for a centre-back. However, I think that AFC Wimbledon’s strong track record of developing young players and the fact their need for a right-sided centre-back is so strong could well make them a front-runner in the competition to land him. For a club like AFC Wimbledon that have to be fairly frugal in the market, I think that they are going to rely on being able to find two or three good loan options that can elevate the group. Arthur is one that I feel would fall into the category of being a marquee signing, and the type of player that could elevate the group.

Dan Sweeney (Stevenage – free)

One challenge that Craig Cope has got this summer for AFC Wimbledon is adding experience. The Dons do not have the most financial resources, and so being able to find those 30yrs+ League One operators that have ‘been there and done it’ is always tricky for Cope to navigate in the market. One player that has become available at the end of the campaign after being let go by his side is Dan Sweeney. 

One of the reasons as to why I think Sweeney would be such a useful addition for The Dons is due to his character. He has always been a popular member of the groups that he has been a part of, is a good professional, hugely likeable from a fan perspective, strong vocally, and even if he is not playing then he offers value. He is the type of player that – as a manager – you rely on, as they allow a dressing room to manage itself. He has got a great work ethic, and the type of personality they should be signing. 

Not least, Sweeney is hugely experienced across the Football League and importantly has been part of winning teams. The Dons have had to take a chance on a lot of younger players that are trying to find their way in the game – naturally given that is the financial ball park in which they have largely operated – yet Sweeney is the antithesis to this. He was part of the Forest Green Rovers and Stevenage sides that got promoted out of League Two, and so he provides that previous knowledge of knowing what it takes to be successful. 

As a profile, Sweeney is a combative and aggressive defender that is an imposing figure, aerially strong, robust in the tackle, and good at what I term the ‘basics of defending’. They have not yet re-signed Patrick Bauer, but Sweeney provides good stylistic continuity to that given that he wants to step out and engage attacking players, a diligent ball-winner, and is slightly more ‘old-fashioned’ in how he likes to challenge players physically. 

The other thing that makes Sweeney an attractive option for The Dons is the fact that he has got an appreciation for playing in a back three. AFC Wimbledon utilised a 3-5-2 formation last season, and Sweeney has played that for Stevenage. In this back three for Dons, I think that he would be a good fit for playing in the centre of the backline with the freedom to go and win the ball, step into midfield and go and engage attacking players. 

I was a little bit surprised that Stevenage let go of Dan Sweeney given that when he did play he was still hugely impactful for them as they got into the play-offs, and so for AFC Wimbledon I think that he would represent a really good addition. Given his experience, I am not expecting him to be short of offers in the close season to play his football in League One next year and so The Dons would have to pull out all the stops. However, I feel the possibility of playing regular football as a starter for Johnnie Jackson’s side could well be a factor to tip it in their favour.

Zack Nelson (Luton Town – free)

One player on this list that will not come as a surprise to AFC Wimbledon fans given that he spent the season on loan with Johnnie Jackson’s side from Luton Town is youngster Zack Nelson. Craig Cope may have ordinarily tried to bring him back to the club on a permanent basis in any event, yet the fact that he has been let go on a free transfer may well have perked their interest. 

Nelson played for AFC Wimbledon last year in League One, and it is fair to say that the youngster definitely held his own. He ended up playing a total of 18 times for them in the league, and during that time he demonstrated that he is a more than capable midfielder for the level they are at. Despite only playing a small sample size of minutes for The Dons, I think that Jackson will feel that there is more than enough there for them to work with and over a 46-game season, the benefit of a pre-season and the security of a permanent move then he is capable of kicking on. 

As a profile, Nelson ticks a number of the boxes that I feel they need long-term in this midfield in terms of his pace, agility, running power and mobility. At times last season, I felt that they were caught out by the lack thereof of experienced midfielder Jake Reeves, and it was no surprise that they looked notably more effective and competitive when they started a younger and more agile midfield unit. Nelson has come out of a good academy, and has got nice underlying physical attributes. He can play at pace, cover space and track runners, and that is three things which Reeves lacked last year. Longer-term, I think having a midfielder of Nelson’s profile will provide major benefit. 

I think that Nelson is most effective when playing at the tip of the midfield and where he can pick up clever pockets of space between the lines in which to get on the turn. He utilises his speed and mobility in attacking space effectively, and in those wide #10 positions I feel that the youngster can provide that purposeful runner that can go beyond the play. Playing with a physical #9, I feel that Nelson is well-suited to playing off them with runs into space and getting on the end of knock-downs. 

Ultimately, I feel that Zack Nelson is capable of being a steady League One midfielder and given the relevant inexperience of the 21-year-old that is unlikely to come higher than with The Dons. After the season that he has had in Dons colours, I think there is a lot of sense in the youngster exploring the opportunity to re-sign permanently with AFC Wimbledon going into 2026-27. On a multi year, long-term deal, I feel he would represent a smart pickup.

Samuel Rak-Sakyi (Chelsea – free)

The second central midfielder that I have included on this list is Samuel Rak-Sakyi. He is one that I initially had down when I first drafted this list and took over, yet re-selected after news of him being released at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. The 21-year-old was let go by Chelsea somewhat surprisingly, and so the fact that he is now available on a free transfer I would be all over him if I were in Craig Cope’s shoes. 

The Dons have maintained good links with Chelsea in signing loan players, with Brodi Hughes spending time at Plough Lane in 2025-26. The youngster was also let go by Chelsea, yet I would personally be looking for better if I were AFC Wimbledon. However, I feel that they should utilise their links with Chelsea’s academy in trying to position themselves at the front of the queue to sign youngster Rak-Sakyi. I was very surprised to see the young midfielder let go by The Blues at the end of 2025-26, and I feel that he would be a brilliant pickup on a free.

One of the observations that I made when I watched AFC Wimbledon last season was that they lacked energy and athleticism in the middle of the pack. I don’t think it was a coincidence that their results improved once Jake Reeves dropped out of the side during the second-half of the campaign, and that should have served as an indication to boss Johnnie Jackson that they need to try and get as much energy as they can into the middle of the park. 

As a profile, Rak-Sakyi is largely a defensive midfielder, with a lovely ability to win the ball back, good technical quality, is press-resistant, capable of covering ground, and a strong athlete that can get about the pitch. 

Given that he was on the fringes of the first-team with Chelsea, I was surprised that he has been moved on this summer. However, I think that presents Rak-Sakyi with a really good opportunity in which to go out and play regular football. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets himself the chance to play Championship football, however if he wants to go and be a regular starter and properly establish himself then I think signing for AFC Wimbledon in League One could be a good option for him. 

From Craig Cope’s point of view and that of the club, I feel a signing like Rak-Sakyi would be incredibly well-advised. Any signing that they make has to have a reasonable degree of re-sale value in them such that the club can develop them as a long-term prospect that they could turn for a profit, and I think that Rak-Sakyi has definitely got the potential to be that. He is only 21 years of age, out of a good academy, and is a good project.

James Tilley (Wycombe Wanderers – loan)

The second player on this list that finished the 2025-26 campaign on loan with AFC Wimbledon and who I feel they should re-sign during the summer is James Tilley. The diminutive wide player never really ‘got going’ at Wycombe Wanderers, yet was able to rediscover some of his best form with The Dons upon his return to Plough Lane in January, and I think that a permanent return is likely. 

I have always been a big fan of James Tilley. I remember when he was on loan at Yeovil Town under Darren Sarll from Brighton and Hove Albion, and I really liked what I saw on that occasion. While only slight, his willingness to receive the ball on the half turn and take risks with the ball is good. He manipulates the ball really effectively in tight spaces, with quick feet, good close control and the low centre of gravity such that he is able to navigate his way out of challenges. Quick changes of direction. A mazy dribbler. He is a really lovely footballer.

In this AFC Wimbledon side, I feel that they definitely need a player of that intricacy and craft in possession. They have not been the most creative from open-play situations, and so having that player who is capable of committing defenders, driving the ball to goal, and taking risks. They are a well-drilled and organised side that are fairly strong defensively, but in terms of that player who is going to make something happen in an attacking sense then I think Tilley can be that player. 

The best football of Tilley’s career has come with AFC Wimbledon, and clearly enjoys playing under Johnnie Jackson. The Dons have got to try and find value in the market and so with the challenge of their finances – or rather lack thereof – I feel they have got to be rather savvy in who they sign. The fact that they have had Tilley at the club before I think it would be a fairly easy sell to get him to re-sign with Jackson’s side going into 2026-27. 

The winger was let go by The Chairboys at the end of the campaign having struggled for minutes at Adams Park. I think that the right level at which to pitch him is League One, and so you would imagine that The Dons will be at the front of the queue for his signature. Craig Cope will likely have to work fairly hard during the summer in terms of adding to the side, however I feel that Tilley re-signing will be somewhat of a formality for all parties.

Daniel Kanu (Charlton Athletic – loan)

The final player on this list that I think AFC Wimbledon should look at a prospective signing is Charlton Athletic youngster Daniel Kanu. The 21-year-old is one that was rumoured to be a potential target of Craig Cope’s last season, and so it wouldn’t surprise me if The Dons returned to The Valley to try and prize him away from The Addicks on a season-long loan. 

From Charlton Athletic’s point of view, I feel that there is a lot of upside to the deal. After playing in League Two last season, signing for AFC Wimbledon would give him the opportunity to go and test himself at a higher level (in League One) which is a likely logical next step for him in his development. Kanu would be playing under a manager with whom The Addicks already have strong links given former midfielder Johnnie Jackson is in charge at Plough Lane. He would be going into a side that is missing a striker of Kanu’s profile, and so will likely get minutes. 

As a profile, Kanu is an athletic, line-breaking, dynamic forward with a nice turn of pace that is capable of playing off the last line of the opposition and making incisive runs in behind. He is a good size, a powerful runner, capable in the air and has clever movement off the back of the defenders. 

The area where I feel Kanu would provide real value to AFC Wimbledon is with his speed. The Dons aren’t able to go and take the game to the opposition over a full ninety in terms of trying to out pass teams and dominate the ball, and so they have to be fairly pragmatic and be effective in transition. Given Kanu’s speed and agility, he represents the ideal profile to have in the front two as he will naturally relish when teams push up and leave space in behind for him to run into. With The Dons likely to sit in a low block against the ‘better’ sides, having an outlet like Kanu would make them hugely threatening when the ball is turned over. 

With Marcus Brown playing through the middle last term and one that – if he keeps up his form from 2025-26 – may well be of interest for a move elsewhere, I think that the top end of the pitch is definitely an area in which Johnnie Jackson will be looking for improvement. Add into the mix the fact that Antwoine Hackford and Danilo Orsi did little to inspire, Matty Stevens had time out with injury, and Omar Bugiel may depart, a striker is definitely welcomed. 

At the age of 21, Kanu just needs to go and play minutes next season and build on a good campaign in League Two. The Addicks are already blessed with a number of attacking options, and Micah Mbick – who was similarly on loan in League Two – is likely ahead of Kanu in the reckoning for an opportunity in the first-team under Nathan Jones. As such, I would be angling for a move to League One.