Dons on deadline day: How deadline day played out for MK Dons
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Keep to up date with the latest movements from Stadium MK before the deadline closes at 11pm.
MK Dons on deadline day
Key Events
- Former Dons defender Tennai Watson joins Charlton
- Joe Tomlinson is Dons’ first signing of the day, arriving from Peterborough
- Reported Dons target Luke Armstrong looks to be heading to another League Two side
- Signing of Ellis Harrison is announced five minutes after the deadline
- Anthony Stewart returns on loan from Aberdeen
Good morning!
It’s deadline day... you know what that means!
Usually, it means a lot of waiting around, refreshing, rumours, failed bids and sometimes a takeaway later to help me power through. More on that later, probably.
But stick with us throughout the day for the latest in MK Dons’ pursuit of some additions.
What do MK Dons want?
After seeing his side in action for the first five games in League Two, Graham Alexander has a pretty good idea of what his side needs.
From the outside looking in, it’s clear he needs a physical striker to compliment the likes of Mo Eisa and Jonathan Leko. Dons are also short of full-back cover for the likes of Daniel Harvie and Cameron Norman, and perhaps some more cover at centre-back as well.
The head coach said he was keen to add ‘two or three’ before the window closed, so let’s see what they can cook up.
Who’s joined in the window so far?
Eight have joined during the window so far - here’s a reminder of who has been added to the Dons squad this summer
In the rumour mill
Two names have ben linked with a move to MK Dons - Joe Tomlinson and Luke Armstrong.
Tomlinson is a full-back at Peterborough United, and has been tipped to make the switch from London Road, while Harrogate striker Armstrong has been linked with a big-money move to the League Two table toppers.
Both are positions Dons need bolstering.
Former Dons man on the move?
Dons and Charlton seem to be linked during this window, with the Addicks rumoured to be close to a deal with Tennai Watson.
The 26-year-old full-back left Stadium MK at the end of his contract in June, and is tipped to complete a move to The Valley.
Four players who can boast Charlton as a former club have joined Dons so far this summer - Alex Gilbey, Nathan Harness, Craig MacGillivray and Jack Payne (who has joined on loan from the League One side)
Dons have in-form strikers
While they’re keen on adding a centre forward before tonight’s deadline, Graham Alexander can still look around his squad and see plenty of goals.
Mo Eisa has four, while Jonathan Leko, Matt Dennis and Max Dean have all scored twice this season as well.
What it’s like to make a deadline day move
Back in 2017, Alex Gilbey arrived at the very last knockings of transfer deadline day from Wigan Athletic.
The move for the midfielder did not come about until late in the day, and it all came as a bit of a whirlwind for the player.
He explained what it is like being a part of a deadline day move to the Citizen recently
Alex GilbeyI signed at the very last knockings when I came here the first time. It’s exciting to be fair. I never expected anything to happen that day, and it came out of the blue and that was my first experience of it. It was exciting but it was all a bit of a rush!
I was at Wigan but it was the international break so we had time off, and I was down in Essex. Thankfully, I was at home for a few days, but as I pulled onto my drive, I got the call to turn around. Luckily, it saved me a bit of time coming down the motorway!
Former Don completes a move
Tennai Watson’s move to Charlton has been confirmed. The 26-year-old spent two years at MK Dons before leaving at the end of last season.
DON DEAL: Tomlinson joins MK Dons
Peterborough United full-back Joe Tomlinson has joined MK Dons on a permanent deal! The first completed transfer of the day - hopefully more to follow!
Business elsewhere in the division
So far, not many moves knocking about in the EFL, much less involving League Two sides.
Here’s what’s gone down in the run up to lunchtime:
Zach Mitchell [Charlton - Colchester] Loan
Joe Tomlinson [Peterborough - MK Dons] Undisclosed
Chisom Afoka [Aston Villa - Bradford] Loan
James Norris [Liverpool - Tranmere] Loan
Tennai Watson [MK Dons - Charlton] Free
Work ploughing on behind the scenes
It’s been a few hours since Tomlinson’s deal was confirmed, but the machine keeps on working behind the scenes at MK Dons.
We understand they are still keen to add to the squad. Liam Sweeting et al are trying to get things done before the window closes.
It’s a case of watch this space at the moment.
More deals elsewhere in the division
It’s all quiet on the MK Dons front, but others in the division, namely Wrexham, have been busy:
Luca Stephenson [Liverpool - Barrow] Loan
Charlie Lakin [Burton - AFC Wimbledon] Loan
David Okagbue [Stoke - Walsall] Loan
George Evans [Millwall - Wrexham] Undisclosed fee
Dean Bouzanis [Reading - Sutton] Loan
Dion Pereira [Luton - Sutton] Loan
Dons target heading to Wales?
Luke Armstrong was reported to be on MK Dons’ most wanted list heading into deadline day, but rumours have it that Wrexham have made a late swoop for the Harrogate Town man and that he is in fact on his way to Wales.
That said though, manager Simon Weaver has told Yorkshire Post he is not in a giving mood and does not want to make a fellow League Two side better by allowing his goal-scorer to depart.
Simon WeaverThere’s been a bit of interest from one club (thought to be MK Dons) over the last few days but we said all along we’re not going to make someone at our level stronger and us weaker unless we have a top replacement we think can replace his physical attributes, his mobility, his goal power.
Another former Dons man on the move
Kabonga Tshimanga, who came through the academy at MK Dons, has joined League One side Fleetwood Town on loan from Peterborough United.
As a teenager, he made headlines by scoring 42 goals in 25 games for the U18s but left the club in the summer of 2017.
Touring the non-league, he emerged again as the name on everyone’s lips with his performances at Chesterfield, earning him a move to London Road in January this year.
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