Aaron Collins made the surprising decision to drop a level when he left Bolton for MK Dons in June, arriving with the expectation that he would dominate the Sky Bet League Two campaign. The optimism was not unfounded; the striker had just been crowned Wanderers' Player of the Year for the 2024/25 season after contributing 19 goals and five assists across 55 appearances in all competitions. After completing a medical examination in Dubai – following a post‑season holiday that took him through Thailand and Bali – Collins became the Dons' most expensive signing on record, with a reported fee of around £800,000.
The club and its supporters were eager to see a return on that investment. Unfortunately, the start to his MK Dons adventure was anything but smooth. In his very first home fixture, a clash with Oldham on August 2, Collins suffered a broken shoulder. "In the opening game I felt a jolt and thought I had only nicked it," he recalled.
"The X‑ray on Monday confirmed a fracture, and the doctors told me I would be out for six to eight weeks. It felt like a punch in the gut because I was so keen to make an impact for my new team." The injury forced him onto the bench for six league matches and a Carabao Cup first‑round loss to Bristol City. When he finally returned as a substitute in the 1‑1 draw at Chesterfield on September 13, the comeback seemed promising. Just three days later he found the net in a 5‑1 defeat to West Ham United's Under‑21 side in the Vertu Trophy.
However, the celebration was short‑lived; a hamstring pull during a training session later that week sidelined him for another two months. "I had never experienced an injury that kept me out for more than a game or two," Collins admitted.
"It was mentally exhausting. I used the time to put myself in the shoes of other players who have gone through similar setbacks, and that perspective helped me stay positive." His first league start since the opening day arrived just before Christmas, when MK Dons faced Harrogate. Collins made the most of the opportunity, scoring twice in a 4‑0 victory.
"The excitement came back instantly," he said. "I knew this was my chance to prove why I belong here." By mid‑February he had enjoyed a relatively injury‑free spell of almost three months, only to be struck again in a match against his former club Newport. After netting the winning goal in a 1‑0 triumph on February 14, Collins and teammate Callum Paterson both went down with ankle ligament injuries within a ten‑minute window.
While Paterson's problem proved more severe, Collins initially faced the prospect of surgery. "It felt like the season was being taken away from me at a crucial stage," he explained. "There were still a dozen games left, and I needed to get back as quickly as possible." Remarkably, Collins missed just two games, returning after a ten‑day recovery period.
He has since focused on managing swelling and pain, determined to make up for lost time. "Starting matches allows me to influence the game much more," he noted. "Since Paterson has been out, I've had to step up and fill the void; he was on fire before his injury." Collins also reflected on the odd superstition that bad luck comes in threes. "I was ready to write it off, but now I can concentrate on helping the team secure promotion," he said.
The Dons are now on the brink of ending their longest spell in League Two – a three‑season stay that could finish with a promotion push. Collins, who earned promotion with Bristol Rovers in 2021/22 and celebrated by climbing a traffic light, joked that this time a roundabout might be his trophy. "There are plenty of roundabouts to choose from here," he laughed. He added a classic football maxim: "There is no feeling better than promotion." Despite spending roughly half the season on the sidelines, Collins cherishes the chance to contribute during the other half.
"Playing a part in a promotion campaign with a group of 25‑30 lads is a memory I will hold forever," he said. He compared the surprise of Bristol Rovers' ascent to the potential shock of a MK Dons promotion, emphasizing how the team has hit form at the perfect moment and now heads into the final fixtures with massive confidence.
Looking ahead, Collins hopes for a drama‑free next season, but he knows the current campaign will stay with him for a long time. The upcoming match against Tranmere will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+, kicking off at 12.30 pm on Saturday. As the Dons chase that final push, Collins remains focused on staying fit, contributing his goals, and helping the club achieve the promotion that has eluded them for three years.