MK Dons confirm departures upon publication of retained list

MK Dons have confirmed the departures of multiple first-team stars as they released their returned list.

Noteworthy first team departures include wing-backs Joe Tomlinson and Aaron Nemane, defenders Luke Offord and Laurence Maguire, attackers Jonathan Leko and Scott Hogan, and utility man Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.

Goalkeeper Tom Finch and defender Sam Sherring, who were more peripheral figures last season, will also depart.

Loan player Jon Mellish has returned to parent club Wigan Athletic, with young keeper Charlie Setford also departing for his own parent club Ajax.

As per the announcement, MK Dons also confirmed that club captain Alex Gilbey and first choice goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray have signed new contracts to stay with the club, while midfielder Liam Kelly has had an option taken up to extend his deal with MK Dons for one more season.

Along with this trio, Will Collar, Aaron Collins, Dan Crowley, Marvin Ekpiteta, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, Gethin Jones, Jay Matete, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Curtis Nelson, Callum Paterson, Jack Sanders, Seb Stacey, Kane Thompson-Sommers, Callum Tripp, Charlie Waller, Ben Wiles and Kane Wilson remain under contract at Stadium MK.

Goalkeeper Connal Trueman is in extended discussions to stay with the club, while Keon Lewis-Burgess, Chase Medwynter and Simone Troso are retained as development players.

Young pros Elisha Boateng, Hayden Boyce, Brooklyn Kazungu, Rian Silver and Damerai Singh-Hurditt have signed their first contracts with the club and joined their development squad.

Meanwhile, young pros Michael Brammeld, Revin Domi, Marcel Guzynski, Phoenix Scholtz and Kobe Sinclair-Linton have also left MK Dons. Scholars Ryan Kelly, Ben Nash, Lewis Sandford, Ronnie Walker and Zach White have also left.

The Dons’ Sporting Director Liam Sweeting thanked all leaving the club for their work at Stadium MK.

He said, “Firstly, I’d like to place on record a huge thank you to all of the players departing the football club this summer. A number of those players have made a significant contribution, both on and off the field, during their time at MK Dons. They have all played a key role in helping the club create a strong winning culture under Paul Warne’s leadership that ultimately delivered on our aim of promotion this season. They leave with our gratitude and respect, and everyone at the club wishes them and their families every success for the future.

“For our Academy players moving on, this period is never easy, but they should all be proud of the progress they’ve made during their time with us. Representing this football club is something to be proud of, and we will continue to support them as they take the next steps in their journeys.”

Looking ahead to next season, Sweeting confirmed work had begun on recruitment for the Dons’ return to League One next season.

Sweeting added, “Following a successful season and promotion back to League One, we’re pleased to retain a strong core of the squad as preparations for 26/27 continue. Work is already well underway to ensure we continue building a competitive environment that can help drive the football club forward.”