MK Dons have completed the signing of former Crystal Palace and Sunderland striker Connor Wickham.
The 28-year-old was a free agent after leaving Preston earlier in this window having made just two appearances for the Lilywhites.
Wickham, who joins the club on a deal until the end of the season, has had Premier League experience with both Sunderland and Crystal Palace, while also featuring for Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End and Leeds United in his career.
MK Dons Sign Free Agent Connor Wickham
Connor Wickham is a Don ✍️#DonDeal pic.twitter.com/EvCy0ahi6B
— Milton Keynes Dons (@MKDonsFC) January 21, 2022
‘A Great Opportunity’
On the move, Wickham said: “This is a great opportunity for me and one I couldn’t say no to.
“There is a great dressing room here and the manager has a good idea for where he wants to go with this team. I want to be a part of that journey and hopefully there’s an exciting few months to come for all of us.
“Me and the Gaffer go way back – he was one of my first coaches – and I have a few other connections here but, ultimately, this a chance for me to join a great club with huge potential and hopefully I can become a good addition to our push in the second half of the season.”
A Different Option Up Front
The Dons currently possess Mo Eisa and Troy Parrott who can play in the forward position. The latter, though, has often played a deeper role under head coach Liam Manning, operating behind the striker.
With the departure of Max Watters back to Cardiff City after his loan deal was cut short, the Dons were in need of some more options up front, and Wickham certainly provides something different.
While Eisa has the pace to get in behind defences, he’s not a physically imposing forward, meaning that against certain defences he can become ineffective.
Wickham, though, standing at 6’3″, will be able to hold play up more and allow the likes of Parrott and Scott Twine time to come forward and join the attack.
This is Wickham’s first drop down into League One. With 18 games of the season remaining, he has the chance to earn himself a shot back in the Championship – whether that be with the Dons or at a new club.
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