The 40-year-old will hang up the boots this summer after an astonishing playing career at MK Dons
History-making Dean Lewington will retire from football at the end of this season after 22 years at MK Dons.
The left-back, 40, has amassed an astonishing 915 appearances for the League Two club – the most in English Football League history.
Lewington – who made his debut for Wimbledon in 2003 before they relocated to Milton Keynes – has won three promotions with the Dons.
However, the veteran defender hasn’t played since November and has now decided to pursue a career in coaching after three stints as interim boss.
A club statement read: “MK Dons can announce that after more than 20 years Dean Lewington is calling time on his illustrious playing career at Stadium MK.
“The defender will stop playing for MK Dons at the end of the season and currently sits on an unbelievable 915 competitive appearances.
“Having been a professional footballer since the age of 18, Lewington will now look to take his vast experience of the game into coaching and has been working on his badges.
“Dean has won promotion three times with the Dons, as well as winning a league and cup double in 2007/08.
“Club captain since 2008, the left-back has been named in the PFA team of the season twice, won EFL player of the month awards in both League One and League Two, been chosen as the MK Dons player of the decade in 2014, won MK Dons player of the season as recently as 2020/21 and claimed the EFL Moment of the Season award in 2021 after making his 800th MK Dons appearance.
“Of his many footballing records though one stands out above the rest. A 1-0 win over Colchester United at Stadium MK on Boxing Day 2023 saw Lewington break John Trollope’s 40-year record for the most league appearances for a single club in the EFL, with MK Dons’ number 3 overtaking the former Swindon Town defender with an unassailable 771 games.
“This phenomenal achievement was then recognised by the PFA in 2024, with Lewington winning the PFA Merit Award for his services to the game. He now sits on 789 league appearances for MK Dons, with 779 of those starts!
“Aside from his many footballing achievements Dean has perhaps more importantly always been cherished by MK Dons supporters and the city of Milton Keynes.
“Forever recognisable from the stands of both the National Hockey Stadium and Stadium MK, Lewington has been the face of the football club for more than 20 years, acting as a role model, spokesperson and ambassador for MK Dons.
“From moving with the club to Milton Keynes after making his debut for Wimbledon in 2003 to stepping up as caretaker manager on three separate occasions, he has represented his side in multiple ways and on countless occasions over the last 20 years.
“As MK Dons longest serving player Dean has been involved in many of the club’s most notable moments, including surviving relegation on the final day of the inaugural season in 2004/05, beating Grimsby Town 2-0 to win the EFL Trophy at Wembley in 2007/08, winning the League Two title later that season, beating Manchester United 4-0 in the League Cup in 2014/15 and winning promotion to the Championship later that season!”
Lewington will be honoured at Stadium MK on April 26 against Grimsby Town as he pulls the curtain on an incredible career.
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