The MK Dons defender played a part in helping convince the new signing to make the move

A former team-mate of Ryan Wintle did his part in luring the midfielder to MK Dons this summer.

Curtis Nelson played 22 games alongside Wintle at Cardiff City in the 21/22 season in the Championship. The midfielder spent the first-half of the campaign on loan at Blackpool after his move to Wales from Crewe, before establishing himself as a regular for the Bluebirds after Christmas.

Having signed for Dons in January, Nelson said he had spoken to Wintle following his release from Cardiff earlier this summer and had met up with the 29-year-old in the off-season, before any inklings of his move to Milton Keynes were on the cards.

In fact, Nelson admitted he never brought up a move to Dons because the pair believed Wintle’s future lay elsewhere. But as soon as he knew there was a chance, Nelson said he went to work on convincing his former team-mate to join up with him at MK1.

“I had a lot of conversations with him over the summer, I did see him at the end of the season too,” Nelson said. “We had a chat, caught up and nothing was really talked about at that stage because we thought he had other things lined up.

“But then when I heard we were interested, to be honest I badgered him quite a bit!

“I’m buzzing to see him here. I know the quality he possesses, he will bring competition in that midfield where we have some great players already. I’m really glad he’s here, he’ll bring a lot of quality.

“And that strength in depth helps push everyone on, no-one can rest on their laurels.”