Aaron Collins made the surprising decision to drop a tier by moving from Bolton to MK Dons in June, with the expectation that his proven goal‑scoring pedigree would translate into an easy season in Sky Bet League Two. The optimism was well‑founded: the 2024/25 campaign had seen him crowned Bolton Wanderers' Player of the Year after netting 19 goals and providing five assists across 55 appearances in all competitions. After completing a medical examination in Dubai—following a holiday that took him through Thailand and Bali—Collins arrived at the Dons as the club’s record signing, a deal reported to be worth around £800,000.
The fee raised the anticipation that he would deliver immediate value on the pitch. Unfortunately, the start to his MK Dons story was anything but smooth. In his very first home appearance against Oldham on August 2, he suffered a broken shoulder.
"In the first game of the season I ended up breaking my shoulder," Collins recalled, adding that he initially thought the injury was minor and continued playing, only to have an X‑ray on Monday confirm a fracture that would sideline him for six to eight weeks. "It was a kick in the teeth because I had that new‑club feeling and I was so ready for the new season.
I was 100 per cent ready to go and I wanted to play a massive part," he said, describing the frustration of missing the opening fixtures. While he recuperated, the Dons endured six league matches without him and a Carabao Cup first‑round loss to Bristol City. Collins finally returned to the squad as a substitute in a 1‑1 draw away at Chesterfield on September 13. Three days later he found the net in a 5‑1 Vertu Trophy defeat to West Ham United’s U21 side, suggesting that his form might be returning.
However, a hamstring pull in a training session later that week forced him out for another two months. "I’d never been in that situation before," he admitted. "I’d never had an injury that kept me out for more than a game or two. It was mentally draining.
I thought I could go through my whole career without being injured, but it was going to happen at some point and everything happens for a reason." The forced downtime gave Collins a chance to empathise with teammates who had endured similar setbacks. "I got to put myself in other people’s shoes who had been there in the past and are going through it now. I could never really understand how they were feeling before. To be able to do that was quite refreshing mentally," he reflected.
His first league start since that opening‑day injury came against Harrogate Town five days before Christmas. Collins made the most of the opportunity, scoring twice in a 4‑0 victory and reigniting his confidence.
"The excitement came back," he said. "I thought this is the time to kick on and show why I’m here." By mid‑February, Collins had enjoyed a relatively injury‑free spell of almost three months, contributing regularly and helping the Dons climb the table. On February 14 he scored the decisive goal in a 1‑0 win over his former side Newport County. Yet the joy was short‑lived: within ten minutes of the second half, both he and teammate Callum Paterson suffered ankle‑ligament injuries.
Initial medical reports suggested surgery might be required for Collins, a prospect he described as "something trying to take the season away from me". Despite the setback, the striker’s recovery was swift. He missed only two games, returning after a ten‑day layoff.
"I’ve worked hard to keep the swelling and the pain away and it’s feeling good. All I’m worried about now is making up for the time I missed," he explained.
He emphasized the importance of starting matches rather than coming off the bench, noting that his influence on the game is far greater when he begins on the pitch. "Since Paterson has gone out, I’ve needed to step up and fill in, as he was on fire before that," Collins added. Collins also joked about a superstition that bad luck comes in threes, but insisted he was now focused solely on helping MK Dons secure promotion.
With only two games remaining in the season, the club stands on the brink of ending what would be a three‑season stay in League Two—the longest period in the Dons' brief history. Collins has already experienced promotion with Bristol Rovers in 2021/22, a night he celebrated by climbing a traffic light. This time, he quipped, "a roundabout is more likely – there’s plenty to pick from round here!" He reflected on the emotional weight of promotion: "There’s a known saying in football that there’s no better feeling than promotion.
I would have spent maybe 50 per cent of this season out injured, but being able to be involved in the other 50 per cent and play my part and be involved in a promotion with 25 to 30 lads is a feeling you cherish forever." He compared the surprise of the Rovers' ascent to the potential excitement of a Dons promotion, calling the latter an "enjoyable shock" if it materialises on the final day. Looking ahead, Collins hopes for a drama‑free season, but acknowledges that the memories of this roller‑coaster campaign will linger. The Dons are set to face Tranmere Rovers in a decisive match, a game that could cement their return to League One.
As Collins prepares for the final push, his words capture both resilience and optimism: "We’ve come into form at the right time and we’re going into the last games with massive confidence." In summary, Aaron Collins' journey at MK Dons has been marked by early promise, a series of untimely injuries, and a determined comeback that has seen him become a pivotal figure in the club’s promotion push. His experience underscores the unpredictable nature of football, where talent, perseverance, and a bit of luck combine to shape a season’s narrative.