Lewington to retire after 915 games for MK Dons

Dean Lewington, MK Dons' record appearance holder, is to stop playing for the club at the end of the season.

The left-back has made 915 appearances for the club over 22 years, breaking John Trollope's 40-year record for the most league appearances for a single club in the EFL in 2023.

The 40-year-old, son of former England assistant manager Ray, won promotion three times with the Dons, as well as winning a league and cup double in 2007-08.

He has not played since November, becoming an interim boss three times. The club say he now wants to move into coaching permanently.

Lewington has been playing for the club for so long that he made his debut for Wimbledon in 2003, before they relocated to Milton Keynes.

He has been a regular in Dons sides ever since, starting 779 of his 789 league appearances for the club.

As MK Dons' longest-serving player, Lewington was involved in many of the club's most notable moments, beating Grimsby Town to win the EFL Trophy at Wembley in 2008, beating Manchester United 4-0 in the League Cup in 2014 and winning promotion to the Championship in 2015.

He is fifth on the all-time list of most appearances in the EFL with 815 - but has only played three games this season.

He has been seen more often on the touchline, leading the side three times - most recently after Scott Lindsey's departure as manager.

Lindsey had denied a rift with Lewington before his departure in March.

"I want to support Dean to try to find out what his journey looks like next - there's only so many coaches can be employed by one team, but I would never say never," Lindsey had said.

"He's trying to help me, help the squad as much as he can, but also help himself in terms of finding out what his next path looks like and we're here to support that obviously."

The club now say Lewington is going to learn his badges and look to become a coach permanently, adding there will be a special "send-off" at their final home game against Grimsby on 26 April.