Former MK Dons defender Laurence Maguire signs for Rochdale

Former MK Dons defender Laurence Maguire has completed a move to sign for League 2 newboys Rochdale.

Maguire has signed a two-year-deal with the side who won last season’s National League play-offs, ending a 3-year exile from the EFL and winning promotion from the 5th tier of English football.

The deal sees the 29-year-old find his new move after leaving MK Dons, with Maguire having left the Dons after two seasons at Stadium MK.

Maguire, whose older brother Harry plays for Manchester United and has won 66 caps for England, had signed for the Dons in 2024 from Chesterfield. During a loan spell at Crawley, the defender had been part of the side who thrashed MK Dons in the 2024 play-offs.

The defender made 40 appearances, though injuries and the form of others saw him slip down the pecking order under Paul Warne after the former Rotherham and Derby boss took over at Stadium MK in 2025.

The move sees Maguire work for Ian Watson, who was part of Mike Williamson’s coaching staff when Maguire joined the Dons and who was recently appointed Rochdale boss.

Maguire told the official Rochdale site of his delight to get the move done.

He said, “It’s been going on for quite a few weeks, maybe even months, so I’m delighted to be here.

“I know quite a lot about the Club, and as soon as Ian came in, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. The chats have been really good, really positive, and it’s time for me to get down to business.

“There’s a great group of lads here, and the staff have been brilliant.

“It’s a club that’s on the up, and we want to have another good year back in the EFL. I’ve been in this league a few years now, and it’s a tough one, but we’ll definitely be ready for it.”