FORMER Colchester United favourite Alex Gilbey has signed for League Two newcomers MK Dons for a second time.

The 28-year-old, who twice won the Dons' Player of the Year award, will officially join when his contract with Charlton Athletic expires at the end of the month.

 

Gilbey told iFollow MK Dons: “I’m over the moon.

“As soon as I found out there was interest, I wanted to get this done because I wanted to come home and come back to the club.

“I absolutely loved my time here before – I’d say they were three of the best years of my career so far.

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"I feel like I have some unfinished business to take care of and I want to help the club get back to where it should be.

“The fans were always great with me and I can’t wait to see them all again.

"I’m looking forward to meeting my new team-mates, working under Graham Alexander and getting started.”

 

Gilbey made more than 100 appearances for Colchester after emerging through their academy ranks and making his senior debut for the club in October, 2012.

The former Gilberd School pupil made his professional debut at Colchester at the age of 17, made 121 appearances for the U’s before joining Wigan Athletic in 2016.

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Gilbey then moved to MK Dons in 2017, playing 105 games and scoring 11 goals in his three years at Stadium MK.

The U's academy product joined Charlton on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee from MK Dons in August, 2020.

 

He made 66 appearances for Addicks before joining Stevenage on loan last September, helping them clinch promotion to the third tier.

MK Dons head coach Graham Alexander told the club website: “We have a clear idea of our recruitment drive this summer.

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"We will sign any player that has the right attributes but there is a need to bring in some know-how and winning experience and Alex brings all that, having been promoted twice from this division, just last season and with this club as well.

“I know he has a real affection for this football club and looking in the whites of his eyes, I saw the motivation he has to do well for all the right reasons. I think we have a really good player on our hands.”