The first team squad will spend a week in southeastern Europe ahead of the new campaign

Preparations for MK Dons’ first League One season in three years will kick off in Croatia this summer.

After previous overseas training camps in Germany and Spain, Paul Warne will take his squad to southeastern Europe to bond and gel ahead of the new campaign, kicking off in August.

Returning towards the end of this month for testing and initial sessions at Woughton on the Green, the squad will depart for Pula on Sunday July 12 for a week-long training camp.

While there, Dons will take on Hrvatska Nogometna Liga side NK Istra on Friday July 17 in a pre-season game at Stadion Aldo Drosina. Istra finished sixth in the Croatian top-flight last season.

The Croatian spot is a location used while he was in charge at Rotherham United, and one which he feels will be ideal for his Dons side to begin proper preparations for the season to come.

“It's a training camp that we’ve used before,” he said. “I really like it there, it's right on the coast.

“After each training session, the lads can go into the sea for recovery and can go on a run along the coastal line in the morning.

“We’ll always run together for those who can, if not, they can go for a swim in the sea. We also have a game at the end of the week, so there’s a bit of everything for the lads to get involved with.

“They can also go for walks in the local area and make the most of all the great facilities there, like the gym for instance.

“I know it's going to be a good venue for us, so I’m really looking forward to it.

“The importance of the pre-season camp is obviously on building fitness and improving on mentality, but also the relationships the team build with the new players and creating that togetherness, which is essential.

“Croatia is in a lovely part of the world, so, I look forward to taking the team there shortly.”