What a difference a year has made for former MK Dons hitman Dean

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The former MK Dons striker still holds his old club close

A little over a year ago, Max Dean was playing Chelsea U21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. Last night, he was setting up goals at Stamford Bridge in the Europa Conference League against their first-team.

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The 20-year-old former MK Dons man came off the bench for KAA Gent in west London to set up team-mate Omri Gandelman at the death during the entertaining 4-2 defeat to Chelsea - his first time playing in England since his summer departure from Stadium MK.

But his former home still holds a special place in Dean’s heart. Just two days before he was running out at the Bridge, he was tuning into the live stream of Dons’ 5-1 win over Harrogate Town - the first victory for new head coach Scott Lindsey.

“It's an exciting time,” said Dean of the new-look Dons. “The new players will take time to gel but the players signed were top quality - I played against most of them last season. I'm rooting for them from Belgium, and hopefully we'll see them promoted.

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“I still check up on everyone, and they check up on me. The group we had last year was unbelievable, and to fall short still is heart-breaking now, the most embarrassing two games of my life.

“I absolutely love the club, and it was a tough decision to go. I wouldn't have gone anywhere for the sake of leaving. It had to be a place I knew I could go and develop, but the lure of European football, and experiencing a different culture, I couldn't say no really.

“I love the club to bits and hopefully in the future, we'll see each other again. It would also be great if I could come back and watch a game at Stadium MK at some point.”

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Max Dean scored the opener for Gent in their 3-0 win at the weekendMax Dean scored the opener for Gent in their 3-0 win at the weekend
Max Dean scored the opener for Gent in their 3-0 win at the weekend | BELGA/AFP via Getty Images

Dean made the jump from League Two to the Europa Conference League look easy though, with the striker scoring in each of his first three games for Gent as they qualified for the competition proper.

He has also hit the ground running in the Jupiler Pro League, helping De Buffalos to sit third in the standings in the early running.

He continued: “It's how I wanted to start, three in my first three - I couldn't have asked for a better start than that. Hopefully the goals and assists keep coming.

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“This time last year, I was playing Chelsea U21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, so it's crazy to see how far I've come.”

And despite the loss to Chelsea on Thursday night, he hopes the side will bounce back to winning ways when they play St Truiden on Sunday.

“It's a disappointing night but we'll bounce back on Sunday hopefully, but this is an unbelievable experience for me.

“We want to go and qualify for the next stage in this competition, and push all the way in the league and cups in Belgium.”

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