MK Dons defender Dean Lewington to retire after record-breaking 915 appearances for club
Dean Lewington, who holds the record for most appearances at a single English club, will retire at the end of the season aged 40.
Lewington was a member of the Wimbledon squad before the club's reformation and relocation to Milton Keynes, where he went on to play 915 times in all competitions (789 in the EFL). He sits fifth on the list of all-time appearances in the English Football League (EFL).
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The left-back, whose retirement will spell an end to his 22-year-long stay at the club, was a regular feature in MK Dons' defence across the club's spells in the Championship, League One and League Two.
In December 2023, Lewington broke John Trollope's record (770) as the player to make the most league appearances for a single English club. He has played a reduced role in recent years, playing nine times in all competitions this season.
He featured 49 times in the 2014-15 season which saw MK Dons promoted to the Championship, while also playing in the club's 4-0 League Cup win over Manchester United in the same campaign.
Lewington also played a leading role as MK Dons secured two trophies in the 2007-08 campaign, finishing top of League Two while also beating Grimsby Town 2-0 to win the EFL Trophy at Wembley.
In the MK Dons' confirmation of Lewington's impending retirement, they said the defender 'has been the face of the football club for more than 20 years, acting as a role mode, spokesperson and ambassador for MK Dons'.
Lewington has also acted as head coach on an interim basis on three occasions, following the departures of previous managers Russell Martin, Liam Manning and Mike Williamson.
MK Dons added Lewington 'has been working on his badges' with the aim of becoming a coach. He turns 41 in May, after the season has ended.
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