Steven Sessegnon is rebuilding his career at AFC Wimbledon after a difficult two-year spell at Wigan Athletic. The defender, who signed a two-year deal with a 12-month option on June 25, says the move represents a homecoming and a fresh start.
Sessegnon made 29 appearances for Wigan in the 2023/24 season but his time there turned sour. Calf and knee injuries in his second season saw him sidelined from January 4, 2025, and manager Gary Caldwell placed him on the transfer list at the start of the 2025/26 campaign. He was released last summer.
"It was very, very tough," Sessegnon said of his Wigan experience, describing it as a professional learning curve. "I owed it to myself to show I was still a good trainer and player."
His search for a new club ended just a short drive from where he grew up. AFC Wimbledon's training ground in New Malden is five minutes from his old school, Coombe Boys, and six minutes from Fulham's Motspur Park base where his twin brother Ryan trains. "I get to see my older brothers, my nieces, my nephews and I see my brother [Ryan] a few times a week," he said.
He made his Dons debut in the Carabao Cup against Newport on August 8 and his full league debut in the 2-0 win at Bromley on September 7. The team's defensive solidity has been a hallmark of their start. AFC Wimbledon have kept five clean sheets in seven games this term, the joint-most in the entire EFL. That foundation has helped them to seventh place in League One, with 11 points from three wins, two draws and two losses.
Their recent form reads three wins, one draw and one loss from the last five. The most recent result was a goalless draw with Milton Keynes Dons on September 17. They are four points behind leaders Bradford City.
Sessegnon believes the team's approach suits him perfectly. He added that the pressure is reduced because the squad knows it can create chances and just needs to stay solid. Myles Hippolyte is the main attacking threat so far, leading the scoring charts with three goals.
The next test is a trip to fifth-placed Cambridge United this Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm. Check the latest standings to see how the table shapes up ahead of that match.
The defender is relishing being back on familiar turf, recalling academy games played on the same grass. His personal life is also intertwined with the area, with his nephew Kayden part of Fulham's U18 setup at Motspur Park. For Steven Sessegnon, AFC Wimbledon is more than just a club; it's a return to his roots and a chance to prove his worth again.
The report in full is at Sky Sports
