Aaron Collins made the surprising decision to drop a tier and sign for MK Dons from Bolton in June, with many observers assuming he would dominate the Sky Bet League Two competition. His reputation backed that expectation: during the 2024/25 campaign he was honoured as Bolton Wanderers' Player of the Year after contributing 19 goals and five assists across 55 matches in all competitions. After completing a medical examination in Dubai – following an off‑season trip that took him through Thailand and Bali – Collins arrived at MK Dons as the club’s most expensive signing, a record fee reported to be around £800,000. The sizeable outlay created a buzz among supporters who were eager to see a return on the investment.
Unfortunately, his debut at the MK Dons' home ground against Oldham on August 2 turned into a setback. "In the first game of the season I ended up breaking my shoulder," Collins recounted.
"It should have been a penalty, but the referee didn’t award one, which made it even more frustrating. I kept playing, thinking I’d only jostled it, but an X‑ray on Monday confirmed a fracture, sidelining me for six to eight weeks." The injury felt like a harsh blow at a moment when he was brimming with enthusiasm for his new club and eager to make an immediate impact. During his recovery, Collins missed six league fixtures and the Carabao Cup first‑round loss to Bristol City. He finally returned to the pitch as a substitute in a 1‑1 draw away at Chesterfield on September 13, and three days later he found the net in a 5‑1 Vertu Trophy defeat to West Ham United’s under‑21 side.
However, misfortune struck again later that week when a hamstring pull forced him out for another two months. "I’d never been in that situation before," he said.
"I’d never had an injury that kept me out for more than a game or two – usually just a knock on the ankle that I could shake off. It was mentally draining.
I thought I could go my whole career without a serious injury, but it turns out everyone faces that at some point, and maybe there’s a reason for it." The forced downtime gave Collins a chance to develop empathy for teammates who had endured similar struggles. "I could finally put myself in other people’s shoes, understand how they felt when they were sidelined. That mental shift was oddly refreshing," he explained. His first league start since the opening day arrived just before Christmas, when MK Dons faced Harrogate.
Collins seized the moment, scoring twice in a 4‑0 victory. "The excitement came back," he admitted.
"I thought, this is the time to push on and prove why I’m here." By mid‑February, Collins had enjoyed roughly three months of uninterrupted football, believing his injury woes were behind him. On February 14, he netted the decisive goal in a 1‑0 win over his former club Newport County.
Yet, within ten minutes of the second half, both he and teammate Callum Paterson collapsed with ankle ligament damage. Initial medical advice suggested surgery for Collins, a prospect he described as "something trying to take the season away from me". Despite the grim outlook, Collins managed a swift comeback.
He missed only two games, returning after a ten‑day break thanks to diligent swelling control and pain management. "The main thing now is being back in the starting XI; I can influence the game much more from the first whistle," he said.
"Since Paterson is out, I’ve had to step up and fill the void – he was on fire before his injury." Reflecting on the string of setbacks, Collins joked about the old superstition that bad luck comes in threes, but he remained focused on the ultimate goal: promotion. With just two matches remaining in the season, MK Dons are perched on the brink of ending their longest spell in League Two, a three‑year stay that will soon become a footnote in the club’s brief history. Collins has personal experience of promotion.
He helped Bristol Rovers ascend from League Two in the 2021/22 season, celebrating the achievement atop a traffic light on the night of promotion. This time, he quips, a roundabout might be more appropriate – "there’s plenty to pick from round here!" He also highlighted a common football mantra: "There’s no better feeling than promotion." He acknowledged that injuries kept him out for roughly half of the campaign, but emphasized how rewarding it feels to contribute to a promotion push alongside a tight‑knit group of 25‑30 players.
"I still think about the surprise promotion with Bristol Rovers – it was an unexpected, joyous shock. If we secure promotion here, it will be just as special, maybe even more because of how the season unfolded," he said. Looking ahead, Collins hopes for a drama‑free next season, but he knows the memories of this roller‑coaster campaign will linger.
The Dons are entering the final games with confidence, believing their form has arrived at the perfect moment. As the season draws to a close, supporters can tune in to watch MK Dons versus Tranmere live on Sky Sports+ at 12.30 pm on Saturday, while fans of the club can also try their luck in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000.