2026-27 Recruitment Plan for MK Dons

Player Decisions

Retain

Craig MacGillivray, Liam Kelly, Alex Gilbey, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Ben Wiles, Marvin Ekpiteta, Callum Paterson, Kane Wilson, Curtis Nelson, Jay Matete, Seb Stacey, Gethin Jones, Jack Sanders, Will Collar, Aaron Collins, Dan Crowley, Callum Tripp, Charlie Waller

Release

Lawrence Maguire, Connal Trueman, Joe Tomlinson, Conor Lemonheigh-Evans, Luke Offord, Sam Sherring, Jonathan Leko, Scott Hogan, Phoenix Scholtz

Lose

Aaron Nemane

Loan Out

Dan Crowley, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, Callum Tripp, Charlie Waller, Kane Thompson-Sommers

Loan End

Charlie Setford, Jon Mellish

Sign

Charlie Goode

Retained Squad

New Signings

Josh Vickers (Derby County – loan)

The first position on this list that I think Paul Warne may well look to strengthen during the close season is in goal. 33-year-old MacGillivray has been a fixture of their side during 2025-26, yet I feel that they could sign a better option to be the #1 in League One. One player that I would look at as a prospective signing is Derby County’s Josh Vickers. 

One thing that I do expect that we may well see in the summer is Warne signing players he has worked with previously, and Vickers is one that provides that requisite tick having played for Warne during their time together at Rotherham United. He was promoted with The Millers from League One, and so as MK Dons prepare themselves for playing in the third tier then signing players who have got that experience of being competitive at the right end of the league could well be invaluable to add to the dressing room. 

Despite all of his experience in promotion-winning sides and playing at a higher level, Vickers is still only 30 years of age and so I feel he represents a more durable option for MK Dons than MacGillivray. The former Rotherham United man has spent some time out through injury during 2025-26 and fallen slightly out of favour in light of signing Zetterstrom, and therefore he may well be one that could be surplus to requirements for John Eustace. I think Zetterstrom will retain the #1 jersey, and so Vickers may well have to go out and play elsewhere if he is going to get regular minutes. 

Vickers remains contracted to Derby County going into 2026-27, and so if MK Dons are to sign him then I feel the likelihood is it would be a loan spell. The Rams may well be willing to let him depart the club given that they have got options of Richard O’Donnell and Jacob Zetterstrom already on the books, and if that is the case then I think that Paul Warne should position himself near the front of the queue for his signature.

Udoka Godwin-Malife (Burton Albion – fee)

MK Dons have already signed a new defender during the off season, with Stevenage centre-back Charlie Goode making the move to Stadium MK. I think that they should add another centre-back option – ideally one that is comfortable playing on the right-hand side and in defending large spaces – and so the option that I would look at is Burton Albion defender Udoka Godwin-Malife. 

If MK Dons maintain the use of three centre-backs, I feel that that right-hand side is definitely one in which there is scope for improvement. Against better sides that are quicker and more dynamic in transition, I think that they could do with adding a centre-back that is more mobile than they’ve got currently, quick and capable of tracking runners. They are going to need defenders to be more comfortable in defending 1v1 in the channels, and Godwin-Malife is a player that I feel has got the attributes suited to this role. 

In terms of his profile, the 26-year-old has got a number of the requisite ticks that I would look for in a prospective centre-back signing. He has got an incredible energy and ability to cover ground. An aggressive runner. Great recovery speed. The mobility to track runners and defend wide. He isn’t the biggest of defenders, but he is particularly strong at stepping in to engage duels. For a wide centre-back in a three, you want someone that is capable of playing out from the back and stepping out with it. Godwin-Malife is technically strong, the composure to play under pressure, and makes good use of his physical attributes in carrying the ball from deep and that is something they’ve perhaps lacked. 

One of the major benefits that Paul Warne would get in signing Udoka Godwin-Malife is the familiarity of the system that they play. The Brewers have similarly set up in a 3-man backline, and so he has got an appreciation for the type of defensive situations that he will likely be in and how best to perform in that system. He has been used as a right centre-back in a three and as a right-back in a four under Gary Bowyer, and so he knows exactly how to play the position. 

Another key reason as to why I think Godwin-Malife is a sensible addition is his age. Paul Warne has largely adopted an older squad with players who have ‘been there and done it’, whereas Godwin-Malife is only 26 years of age, has good scope for development and someone that I feel they can sign on a long-term deal as a bit of a project as opposed to signing a 30+ year-old centre-back.

The Brewers’ model dictates that they have got to try and turn profits for players and move them on for the right price, and so Godwin-Malife is one asset that they may wish to entertain offers for if they are pitched at the right level. They have already allowed forward Jake Beesley to depart the club in signing for Bradford City for an undisclosed fee, and so it wouldn’t surprise me if they Udoka Godwin-Malife follow suit in departing The Pirelli. He only has a year left on his deal and they’d likely turn a profit for a player that has been at League One for two years, and I think it would be a sensible move for both parties.

Ryan Nyambe (Derby County – fee)

With Aaron Nemane moving on at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, I think that MK Dons may well look to sign another right-sided defensive option during the summer. One player that I wouldn’t be surprised to see sign for Paul Warne is another player that finished the campaign at Derby County in the form of Ryan Nyambe. 

MK Dons have currently got Gethin Jones and Kane Wilson on the books, but I would still look at Nyambe as being a good option to pursue. If I am looking at Dons’ side as a neutral I think that potentially there is scope for them to bring in a better option as a ‘flying wing-back’ than Gethin Jones in terms of physical attributes, and one that is perhaps capable of operating more so at the level required to be competitive at the top end of League One. Signing a player that finished 2025-26 and has played a lot of football in the Championship would certainly tick that box. 

As a player, Nyambe is your powerful, ‘up and down’, athletic full-back that has got a good engine, can get up on the outside to provide an option on the overlap and good recovery pace. He is the type of player that can get up in support of the attacking play, and himself is a strong ball-carrier in progressing the ball from deep with strong dribbling and close control to navigate his way past defenders. MK Dons tended to favour the use of a three at the back system during 2025-26, and so I feel that having a player of Ryan Nyambe’s profile gets the best out of that system given his physical attributes and energy in transition.

Ryan Nyambe is definitely the type of player that buys into the ‘MK Dons approach’ in the market in terms of signing players that are from a higher level, and that could be seen as a bit of a ‘coup’ for the level. While they will have short-term aspirations of aiming for promotion in 2026-27, they will have half an eye on trying to build a team that can be good enough – or at least compete with minimal adjustment – for the level above in the same way they’ve signed League One players in League Two. As such, I think Nyambe is of the calibre required. 

Not least, Nyambe has been promoted from League One on two different occasions – with Blackburn Rovers and Derby County – and so in terms of bringing in the right characters that have got the experience of being in successful teams for the level he provides that. 

Nyambe spent time out on loan away from Derby County last season, and so it remains to be seen as to whether or not he will be an immediate part of John Eustace’s squad next season. If I was a betting man, I feel that Nyambe – despite being under contract currently – may be one that Eustace is willing to let leave the club and as such I think there is a good possibility that MK Dons could seal his signature. For a small fee, I feel that he would be a good investment.

Callum Elder (Derby County – free)

One position in which I expect MK Dons to address during the summer is left-back. With Joe Tomlinson departing on a free transfer, there is an opening for Paul Warne to add a new starting left-back to his squad. One target that I would look at and in truth wouldn’t be surprised to see arrive at Stadium MK is experienced campaigner Callum Elder. 

Elder is a player that needs little in the way of an introduction to Dons boss Warne, having played underneath him at Derby County during between 2023 and 2025. Like Vickers and Nyambe, Elder is someone that Warne knows very well and it may be by way of this relationship that he could persuade him to sign for MK Dons in League One. They’ll be one of the bigger spenders, and so financially it should be the type of move that they can afford. 

As a player, I think that Elder provides many of the stylistic similarities that you get in a player like Joe Tomlinson in terms of his quality on the ball, ability to cross from deep, technical attributes and the fact that he has got a good engine in getting ‘up and down’. He is an attacking full-back that wants to get up in support of the play, provide an option on the overlap and someone that is always looking to play forward. In this regard, he gives you everything Tomlinson did, yet the experience and guile to go with it. 

I think that playing Elder in a wing-back role off that left-hand side allows him greater freedom to get up in support of the play and I feel that gets the best out of his strengths. He is an accurate crosser of the ball, and so getting him higher positions closer to the opposition goal allows him to work the ball into the box. 

The left-back was let go at the end of the campaign by The Rams and so is available on a free transfer. While he may well look to try and get himself a new club that will allow him the luxury of staying in the Championship, I think that he would be interested by the attraction of re-signing for a manager whom he has worked previously and joining a side and club who have got the long-term aspirations of winning promotions into the Championship. I think that could be a project that interests the 31-year-old. 

Elder is another that would contribute to the focus that I have picked out for MK Dons in signing previous promotion winners from the division – with Elder having won the league at Hull City in 2021 and Wigan Athletic in 2018 – and he represents a safe pair of hands. A good professional with plenty of experience of playing higher, and the type of character that you want to add to your side when tackling the challenge of League One. MK Dons’ financial weight may well provide them with the opportunity to work a deal for the 31-year-old, and if they can then I think that it would be a sensible bit of business.

Luke Leahy (Wycombe Wanderers – loan)

Despite being contracted to Wycombe Wanderers, one player that I half an inkling may be allowed to leave the club during the summer is experienced Luke Leahy. The 33-year-old may have played 40 times in the league for The Chairboys during 2025-26, yet in the second-half of the campaign he was used increasingly sparingly by boss Michael Duff and so I think it remains to be seen as to whether or not he will be part of The Chairboys’ plans next season. 

If he is available to go out on loan, I think that Leahy is the type of player that I could quite easily see Paul Warne sign at MK Dons. He fits the profile that they typically look for in terms of being an experienced professional that is 30yrs+ and has played a lot of games at the level. He may not be the flashy player that is going to necessarily win a game with a piece of skill, yet in terms of being a good character for the dressing room I think that he has something very ‘MK Dons like’ about him. 

If I was in Michael Duff’s position, I would be keeping Leahy as part of the group as I don’t think you can underestimate the potential impact – whether starting or just around the group – that he can have. By his own high standards, Leahy may feel that 2025-26 was an underwhelming campaign for him and potentially a reason as to why he fell out of favour. I am expecting that The Chairboys may well retain Dan Harvie as the starting left-back and Leahy will have to try and get minutes by way of a midfield berth, and so I believe Duff may well be open to entertaining the chance to let him go elsewhere. 

As a player, I feel Leahy could well represent a clever pickup for MK Dons if they are able to get him. He is capable of playing in defence and in midfield, be it as a left-back or as a holding midfielder. Technically strong with good delivery and a delicate weight of pass. MK Dons don’t typically operate with a defensive left-back (e.g. in a flat four), but having someone that can provide them with an option in that part of the pitch is useful and especially so in light of letting Joe Tomlinson depart at the end of 2025-26. 

Leahy only signed a new contract with The Chairboys in January 2026, and so even despite MK Dons being one of the bigger spenders I do think that they would have to sign Luke Leahy on a loan deal if they were to get him. They would – however – likely be able to pay a higher contribution of his wages than some of the other sides at the level, and so financially I think that they should be able to seal a deal if the opportunity allowed.

Terry Taylor (Charlton Athletic – free)

MK Dons have already got their fair share of central midfield options going into the new season, with Jay Matete, Will Collar, Alex Gilbey, Ben Wiles and Liam Kelly all on their books. However, one profile that I think they don’t really have and could do with adding in the summer is a more combative, physical ball-winner that can turn over the play. As such, I would consider Terry Taylor as being a potential candidate. 

Looking at the options that MK Dons have got currently, I think that Taylor would complement them quite nicely. Collar is more of a line-breaking, box-crashing #10. Kelly is a technical type at the base. Gilbey an advanced midfielder that looks to contribute in the goals. Wiles is a good ball-player, while Matete is your slightly elegant ball-carrier. They won’t be able to dominate proceedings as well as they did last year in League Two, and so adding a midfielder that doesn’t mind putting their foot in and being more industrious would definitely help. 

Taylor has demonstrated over the course of his loan spells with Northampton Town – and prior to that with Charlton Athletic – that he is exactly that. A tenacious tackler. He handles the physical side of the game really well. He breaks up play effectively, and he has got that composure to then get attacks going with playing through the lines. In a system whereby they have got some proficient passers already, I think that Taylor alongside would help him to simplify his game into being more of a specialist ball-winner and I feel that would suit him. 

I think that if you are to get the best out of the midfielders that MK Dons have got currently from a technical standpoint then you need to have that more selfless, industrious, hard-working, type and Taylor can provide that. 

He was let go at the end of the season by Charlton Athletic, and while Northampton Town may well want to bring him back to the club during the summer I think that they would be appreciative of the fact that the likelihood of him returning is slim. If The Cobblers had stayed up in League One, it perhaps would have been a different conversation. However, as it is I think that he will go elsewhere this summer and instead stay in the third tier, and so MK Dons would provide him with that opportunity.

Wes Burns (Ipswich Town – free)

I feel that we are going to see MK Dons be ambitious in the market this summer in terms of executing a level of ruthless efficiency in strengthening the side. I am anticipating that there will be a signing that particularly makes you think “wow – how have they pulled that off?” and one option that I think would a) fit the bill and b) be attainable for Paul Warne is Ipswich Town forward Wes Burns. 

With Ipswich Town winning promotion to the top flight, I expect that there may well be one or two players that are moved on by manager Kieran McKenna during the summer. They may well have to make some difficult decisions in lieu of sentiment to players who have been there for a number of years, and 31-year-old Burns is one that I think may well depart Portman Road to go and find a new opportunity. 

While MK Dons didn’t operate with out-and-out wingers in their promotion from League Two, I think that as they step up into League One they will need to demonstrate greater flexibility and may well look to set up with more natural width. With Aaron Nemane moving on after being let go at the end of his contract, I definitely feel that there is scope for them to strengthen on the right-hand side of their attack. Wes Burns has played his football predominantly off the right during his time with Ipswich Town, and so he definitely ticks that box. 

If MK Dons do opt to set up in a 3-at-the-back system, I feel that Burns could be well-suited to playing on the right of a front three and either side of a more physical #9. Burns is the type of player that wants to get beyond the play, make runs in behind and get to the byline where he can work crossing opportunities, and so I think that playing him in a position that allows him greater flexibility in his position to spin into clever pockets, on the turn, face the goal up and drive the ball to goal could get the best out of him. 

In many ways, Burns does provide some of the attributes that Paul Warne has lost in letting Nemane depart the football club. Burns is similarly quick and direct, a capable ball-carrier, yet I feel that the Welshman has that little bit more craft in the quality of his technical execution and his decision-making. He has good delivery from wide. A strong shooter from distance. Nemane was the type that wanted to drive the ball to the goal line, whereas I think having a more prolific crosser of the ball such as Burns may well get more out of the likes of Paterson. 

Burns is the calibre of signing that would really help to elevate MK Dons from not just being in the mix for the top six, but instead being one of the favourites to get promoted from League One. They demonstrated the scale of their ambition and financial power in signing players from the Championship on long-term deals in League Two, and so as they prepare for life in League One then it wouldn’t surprise me to see them go and complete a signing of this nature. If they can, it would lay down a marker of their intent. 

Jerry Yates (Luton Town – free)

MK Dons have already flexed their muscle this summer in the signing of defender Charlie Goode from Stevenage, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Paul Warne sign another player from a rival League One side as a bit of a ‘statement’. One player that would fall into that category and will likely have a fair bit of interest for his signature during the off season is Jerry Yates.

Yates finished the 2025-26 campaign on loan with relegated Sheffield Wednesday, and the expectation from The Owls supporters is that the striker may well re-sign with them ahead of the new season having enjoyed a productive loan spell. However, I think that he is the type of player that MK Dons could make a move for. In terms of the profile of signings I expect them to make – experienced, played at the top end of League One and higher, and a previous promotion winner – then Yates ticks the boxes. 

One of the reasons as to why I think Yates could well be an option for MK Dons and a realistic target to sign is due to the fact that the forward spent time playing under current MK Dons boss Paul Warne during the 2024-25 campaign. He played on loan at Derby County and scored 10 goals in all competitions across 42 games. That was one of his most productive spells of his career, and so if there is anyone that can get Yates back playing to his best form then Paul Warne could well be that manager. 

While Calum Paterson played up front for MK Dons this term, I feel that they could definitely do with adding another mobile physical presence at the top end of the pitch and so I think Yates is a good stylistic fit for that. He is a good size. Fairly well-built. Strong back to goal. A powerful athlete. 

One of the major plus points as to why I think Yates would be a good addition to the MK Dons front line is his energy. Paterson has provided a robust and physical platform to play off in leading the line, while Scott Hogan has been his usual tricky self with that yard of pace off the shoulder. One profile that I think they have been lacking is that hard-working, high-volume running, pressing type that can force the opposition into mistakes in playing out and in always looking to make himself an option. 

The 29-year-old has been promoted twice from League One – with Paul Warne’s Rotherham United and Blackpool – and so in terms of providing MK Dons with a calibre of player that is capable of harnessing their ambitions to be competitive at the top of the division then he is a good fit. Personally, I think that there is a world in which he gets another move into the second tier during the summer and so it would be a bit of a coup if MK Dons were able to land him.

Matty Godden (Charlton Athletic – free)

The final player on this list is a striker that finished the 2025-26 campaign on the books of Charlton Athletic in the form of 34-year-old Matt Godden. I think that The Addicks may well be open to letting the experienced striker leave the club this summer, and if that is the case then I feel MK Dons could be a potential good suitor for him to go and play his football. 

When I have watched MK Dons this season, one profile of forward player that I think they’ve lacked at the top end of the pitch is that poacher. Callum Paterson has led the line for them by and large, but Paterson isn’t exactly what I would class as being that ‘fox in the box’ type that can get on the end of things. Godden is a vastly experienced forward that has that little bit of nous and intelligence of knowing where the ball is going to drop, and so I feel he could give them something a little bit different at the top end of the pitch to what they have currently.

As a player, Godden is your typical #9. A good size, combative, works hard and occupies defenders with the use of his frame and in playing back-to-goal in linking the game. He provides them with a useful profile in terms of playing on the shoulder of the opposition and demonstrates clever movement in behind, and so I feel he could dovetail quite nicely with a more aerially powerful, imposing, physical reference in the form of Paterson. 

At the age of 34, I think that signing Godden would be the type of deal that perhaps may not provide them with a 40+ game starter that is going to lead the line every week, but more importantly that player who can perhaps play 25-30 games, come off the bench when they need a goal, manage his minutes, and use his efficiently to get the best out of him while providing them with another useful option. 

While MK Dons will be going into League One as a newly promoted side, they won’t be doing so just to make up the numbers and they have already made it clear that they want to go and compete for promotion to the Championship. Signing a player like Matt Godden that has won promotion out of the third tier with Coventry City and Charlton Athletic previously helps to strengthen the leadership of the group, and provide them with the personnel that can handle the pressures of expectation that they will have on them next year. 

He remains contracted to Charlton Athletic, but I feel that Nathan Jones will look to try and bring in a younger profile of forward to lead the line for them next term and as a result Godden would have to make do with being used sparingly. They have already managed his minutes acutely during 2025-26, and I don’t see him being used any more extensively next year. Therefore, I think Jones may well feel this summer is the right time for him to be let go if they get the right offer for him. If they can get him for the right price, I think that Godden would represent an astute piece of business.