Who is MK Dons' latest signing Sam Nombe?

Comeback kid Sam Nombe is already a part of an exclusive cult-hero collective at MK Dons.

The 27-year-old has returned to Stadium MK after five seasons away, having picked up plenty of EFL experience at both Exeter City and Rotherham United, earning with it a £1 million price tag when making the move to the Millers in 2023.

Coming through the academy at MK1 though, Nombe’s name was never far from the fringes of the first-team from when he first made his debut for the club in 2017. Impressing in the youth ranks alongside the likes of Brandon Thomas-Asante and David Kasumu, the striker began to play a more prominent role under Paul Tisdale.

Thrust into the limelight as a result of injuries to Rhys Healey, Kieran Agard and Joe Mason, Nombe led the line for Tisdale’s Dons in impressive fashion, giving Liverpool’s defence a tough night in the Carabao Cup, while etching his name into folklore with a fine early goal against rivals AFC Wimbledon in a 2-0 home win.

Following Russell Martin’s appointment in charge, Nombe found himself in and out of the side in the early season, before he was shipped out on loan to Championship side Luton Town. Struggling to make an impact at Kenilworth Road though, the Hatters did not take up the option to buy the frontman, which left the door open for Exeter to acquire his services.

Two seasons at St James Park saw him emerge as a fearsome goal-scorer. Guiding the Grecians to promotion from League Two in his first campaign, netting 10 goals in 32 appearances, he continued his fine form into League One, finishing with 15 league goals in 43 outings.

His form drew attention from teams higher up the food chain, and Rotherham were willing to part with a reported seven-figure fee for Nombe, taking him to the AESSEAL New York Stadium in the summer of 2023.

Despite having three successful seasons in terms of his personal accolades with the Millers, the club suffered two relegations in three years from the Championship to League Two. scoring 31 goals in 124 outings for the club.

Dons have been keen on bringing the striker back to Milton Keynes all summer, and have added him alongside Charlie Goode, Cohen Bramall, Dan Barlaser and Ryan Wintle.