Dons sign former Leeds defender Scott Wootton

He put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Stadium MK on Friday, and will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s League 1 opener against Shrewsbury.

The 24-year-old defender was released by Leeds, having made 26 appearances for them last season, and more than 70 in total.

Having come through the ranks at Manchester United, Wootton had loan spells at Tranmere, Peterborough and Nottingham Forest before signing for Leeds in the summer of 2013.

Primarily a centre back, Wootton adds to the defensive cover after the departures of Matt Upson, Antony Kay, Jordan Spence and Kyle McFadzean this summer.

“This is a really good, forward-thinking club and I’m delighted to be here,” he told mkdons.com

“I’ve not had much of a pre-season so it might take a little while to fully integrate into the squad but I’m excited to, hopefully, play regular first-team football in a good team with good players.

“I’m really looking forward to getting going.”

Manager Karl Robinson added: “Scott is someone who I’ve known since he was 13 years of age and I’ve seen his career blossom – it was a really proud moment seeing him start for Manchester United’s first team and he’s played in the Champions League for them as well.

“He’s played over 70 games in the Championship for the likes Leeds United, Peterborough and Rotherham so between our three centre-halves, now, we have well over 250 games and they are all of a good age as well, which is important to what we are trying to build here.”