MK Dons sign striker Rushian Hepburn-Murphy from Crawley Town

MK Dons have signed striker Rushian Hepburn-Murphy from Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee.

The forward, who turns 27 in August, has signed a contract of undisclosed length at Stadium MK and is the Dons’ second new signing ahead of the 2025-26 season, following the signing of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

MK Dons confirmed that the deal to sign Hepburn-Murphy was agreed before the first of the summer 2025 transfer window’s two deadline days, which closed yesterday (10/06) as a window primarily set up for teams preparing to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup later this month.

Hepburn-Murphy joins after scoring 11 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for a Crawley side that were ultimately unsuccessful in their attempts to stay in League One last season.

The striker began his career in the academy of Aston Villa, before having loan spells with Cambridge, Tranmere and Derby, then having a two year spell in Cyprus with Pafos before spells with Swindon and Crawley.

Hepburn-Murphy is a figure who has scored against the Dons in the past, having scored all 3 goals for Tranmere at Stadium MK in a 3-1 win in November 2019, which turned out to be MK Dons’ final game under the management of Paul Tisdale.

Hepburn-Murphy referenced this hat-trick in his arrival interview with MK Dons and told the club’s website he was looking forward to working with the Dons’ boss Paul Warne.

He said, “I can’t wait to get going! It’s a great project to be involved in and I’m looking forward to the upcoming season.

“The gaffer is brilliant; the first few conversations we had made me want to play for him. For me, this club should never be in League Two, who wouldn’t want to play here and get back up the leagues as quick as possible.

“I like to try and entertain, getting at defenders’ one-on-one and scoring goals. Fun fact! I scored a hat-trick at Stadium MK so hopefully I can do that again!”

Warne added that he felt Hepburn-Murphy represented a high quality acquisition for the club.

He said, “Rushian is a player I have watched over many seasons, and I like the qualities he can add to this team. I like to have pace, I like to have a goal threat at the top of the pitch and he’s a versatile forward, who can play in one of the three positions across the front line.

“He’s familiar with a few of the lads in the dressing room which will help with his integration. He’s somebody who wants to kick on with his career, he will be an exciting addition for now and in the future. We look forward to greeting him alongside the rest of the squad in pre-season.”