The move raised a lot of eyebrows from those in the division

Ryan Wintle has not come to MK Dons just to make up the numbers in League One but to help them get promoted this season.

The midfielder helped Cardiff City make an immediate return to the Championship last season, with his performances earning him the Player of the Year prize at the end of the campaign as they finished second to runaway title winners Lincoln City.

His capture has raised a lot of eyebrows following his departure from Wales, with teams like Leicester City and Oxford United both keen on his services after their relegation from the second tier last time out.

Wintle, 29, is the fourth signing of the summer, with Dons having added Charlie Goode, Cohen Bramall and Dan Barlaser to their ranks, all of whom have plenty of experience at League One level and indeed higher.

And helping Dons to reach the Championship is what Wintle has on his mind.

“I’ve come here to get promoted and that’s one of the biggest factors in me coming here,” he said. “This year will throw new challenges at me, but it’s about being adaptable and I think that’s one of my strengths. I’ll give that to this club.

“I never give up, no matter the situation. It was a topsy-turvey five years at Cardiff, with different managers, different styles but I’ve never give up and always keep going. Last year was very different, we were controlling every game and that was my role in the team, and it shows because I won Player of the Year.

“Everyone knows there was interest from other clubs, but when I spoke to the manager, it was so easy and it felt right.”

Speaking about how the move came about, Wintle said: “I met (Warne), we walked around the pitch for an hour talking - I was getting cramp in my calves! He was asking me about life outside football, he takes an interest in you outside of football, which is what you want as a manager.

“He played a massive role in bringing me here, not just because of his success in this league but more importantly how he is as a person.”

Another person to have played a key role was Dons defender Curtis Nelson. The pair have been friends on and off the field for many years, growing up together before playing alongside each other at Cardiff.

Nelson said he pestered his friend to convince him to make the move to Milton Keynes - something which Wintle confirmed.

“When he knew there was a chance I could be coming, he was pestering me all the time to make sure I’d come,” he added. “I knew him from back home, he’s from around my home and I knew his brother as well. We were also at Cardiff together, and we built a relationship, our missus’ have built a relationship, we’ve had children at the same time, so we’ve got a lot in common!

“He’s a big personality and a really good lad. We spend a lot of time together off the pitch going to soft play with the kids!”