Stephen Walker returns to Dons on loan

Middlesbrough striker Stephen Walker has come back to MK Dons on loan.

The 20-year-old made seven substitute appearances between January and May 2019 as Dons secured promotion from League Two under Paul Tisdale, but did not find the net.

Last season, after making eight outings for Boro, Walker played six times for Crewe Alexandra as they too earned promotion to League One. He scored his first professional goal against Mansfield during the spell.

“I’m delighted to be back,” Walker told mkdons.com. “I enjoyed my time here two seasons ago and I’m looking forward to getting going again.

“The manager was a big reason why I wanted to come back here. I obviously know him from our time together as teammates and I’m excited to get to work under him and his management team.

“I want to come here and contribute as much as I can to help the team win games and climb the table.”

Dons boss Russell Martin added: "Stephen has so much potential and he gives us something different in the final third - he is quick, has great technical ability and is a fantastic finisher.

"He's 18 months further down the line than when he was last here. I saw something in him as a teammate that I can't wait to realise now, now that he's coming back here in a better place physically and mentally.

"We don't want to be a team that relies on goals from one individual. What we have now are a number of different options up front that suit the way we play and players that I am confident will begin to put the away the chances we're creating."