Aaron Collins made the surprising decision to drop a tier when he left Bolton for MK Dons last June, arriving with the expectation that he would dominate the Sky Bet League Two campaign. The optimism was well‑founded; the forward had just been crowned Wanderers' Player of the Year for the 2024/25 season after tallying 19 goals and five assists across 55 appearances in all competitions. Following a medical examination in Dubai—taken after an off‑season trip that included stops in Thailand and Bali—Collins officially became the Dons' most expensive signing on record.

The club shelled out a reported £800,000, and fans were eager to see that investment translate into on‑field value. Unfortunately, his debut at the MK Dons' home ground against Oldham on 2 August turned into a nightmare. "In the first game of the season I ended up breaking my shoulder," Collins recalled. "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 jarred it, but an X‑ray on Monday confirmed a fracture and I was told to expect six to eight weeks out. It felt like a kick in the teeth because I was so excited about the new club and ready to contribute from day one." The injury forced him onto the sidelines for six league fixtures and a first‑round Carabao Cup loss to Bristol City. He finally returned as a substitute in a 1‑1 draw at Chesterfield on 13 September, and three days later he found the net in a 5‑1 Vertu Trophy defeat to West Ham’s U21 side.

However, a hamstring pull during a training session later that week sidelined him for another two months. "I’d never experienced an injury that kept me out for more than a game or two," Collins admitted. "Usually it was a minor knock, something I could shake off for the next match.

This was mentally draining. I used the time to put myself in the shoes of teammates who had gone through similar setbacks, and that perspective was oddly refreshing." His first league start since that opening‑day mishap came against Harrogate five days before Christmas.

Collins made the most of the opportunity, scoring twice in a 4‑0 victory. "The excitement came back instantly," he said. "I thought, this is my moment to prove why I’m here." By mid‑February, Collins had enjoyed roughly three months of uninterrupted football, believing the injury saga was finally behind him.

On 14 February he scored the decisive goal in a 1‑0 win over his former club Newport, only to see his celebration cut short. Within ten minutes of the second half, both he and teammate Callum Paterson suffered ankle‑ligament injuries.

Initial assessments suggested Collins might need surgery. "It felt like the season was being taken away from me at a crucial stage, with just a dozen games left," he explained.

"Paterson’s injury was worse, so I knew I had to return as quickly as possible. Fortunately, I only missed two games and had a ten‑day lay‑off. I’ve worked hard to manage swelling and pain, and now I’m focused on making up for lost time." Collins emphasized that starting matches makes a huge difference to his influence on the game.

"When I’m in the starting XI I can affect the match far more. I’m just playing my natural game, trying to be the focal point. Since Paterson has been out, I’ve had to step up and fill the void; he was on fire before his injury." He also reflected on a superstition that bad luck comes in threes.

"I felt it was my third setback, but now I can concentrate on helping the team achieve promotion," he said. With only two fixtures remaining, MK Dons are perched on the brink of ending what would become the longest three‑season spell in League Two in the club’s brief history.

Collins, who earned promotion with Bristol Rovers in 2021/22, reminisced about celebrating that achievement atop a traffic light. This time, he jokes that a roundabout might be more appropriate: "There are plenty of roundabouts to choose from here!" He added, "There’s a saying in football that nothing beats the feeling of promotion. I probably spent half the season injured, but being involved in the other half and contributing to a promotion push with a squad of 25‑30 lads is a memory I’ll cherish forever.

I still think about the surprise promotion with Bristol Rovers—it was an unexpected, enjoyable shock. Here at MK Dons, we’ve hit form at the right moment and we head into the final games brimming with confidence." Looking ahead, Collins hopes for a drama‑free season, but he knows the current campaign will stay with him for a long time. The upcoming clash against Tranmere, broadcast on Sky Sports+, promises another chance for him to add to his story as the Dons chase that coveted promotion spot.