Aaron Collins made the leap from Bolton to MK Dons last June, dropping a tier to take on the challenges of Sky Bet League Two. His reputation preceded him: the 2024/25 season saw him earn Wanderers' Player of the Year award after contributing 19 goals and five assists across 55 matches in all competitions. After a routine medical in Dubai—taken during an off‑season break that also included stops in Thailand and Bali—he signed for the Dons as their record acquisition, with a reported fee of around £800,000.

The club and its supporters were eager to see a return on that investment. Unfortunately, the optimism was quickly tested.

Collins suffered a shoulder fracture on his home debut against Oldham on August 2. "In the first game of the season, I ended up breaking my shoulder," he recalled.

"It should have been a penalty, but I didn’t get one, which made it even more frustrating. I played on thinking it was just a jolt, then an X‑ray on Monday confirmed the break and sidelined me for six to eight weeks. It felt like a punch in the gut because I was buzzing with that new‑club energy and ready to make a big impact." The injury forced him out for six league fixtures and a Carabao Cup first‑round loss to Bristol City. He made his return as a substitute in a 1‑1 draw at Chesterfield on September 13, and three days later he found the net in a 5‑1 Vertu Trophy defeat to West Ham’s U21 side.

However, misfortune struck again later that week when a hamstring pull kept him off the pitch for another two months. "I’d never been in that situation before," Collins admitted. "I’d only ever missed a game or two with minor knocks. This was mentally draining.

I used to think I could go my whole career without a serious injury, but life had other plans. It gave me a chance to step into the shoes of players who had gone through similar setbacks and understand what they felt. That perspective was surprisingly refreshing." His first league start since the opening day arrived just before Christmas, against Harrogate.

Collins seized the moment, scoring twice in a 4‑0 victory. "The excitement came back," he said. "I thought, this is the time to push on and show why I’m here." By mid‑February, Collins had enjoyed a relatively injury‑free stretch of almost three months.

He netted the decisive goal in a 1‑0 win over his former side Newport on February 14, but the celebration was short‑lived. Within ten minutes of the second half, both he and teammate Callum Paterson went down with ankle ligament injuries. Initial assessments suggested Collins might need surgery. "It felt like the season was being ripped away from me at a crucial stage, with only 12 or 13 games left," he reflected.

"Paterson’s injury was worse, so I knew I had to return quickly. Fortunately, I only missed two games and had about ten days off. I worked hard on reducing swelling and pain, and now I’m focused on making up the lost time." Collins emphasized the difference between coming off the bench and starting matches. "When I start, I can influence the game much more.

I’m just playing my natural game, trying to be the focal point. Since Paterson is out, I’ve had to step up; he was on fire before his injury." He also joked about the superstition that bad luck comes in threes. "I was ready to throw in the towel, but now I’m just concentrating on getting back into the team and helping us secure promotion." With two fixtures remaining, MK Dons are perched on the brink of promotion, ending what could 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, recalled celebrating that achievement by climbing a traffic light.

This time, he quipped, a roundabout might be the more realistic trophy spot: "There’s plenty to pick from round here!" He summed up the emotion of a promotion chase: "There’s a saying in football that nothing feels better than promotion. I probably spent half the season injured, but being able to contribute in the other half and help a group of 25‑30 lads achieve promotion is a feeling you cherish forever.

I still think about the surprise promotion with Rovers – it was an unexpected, joyous shock. Here, we’ve hit form at the right moment and head into the final games with massive confidence." Looking ahead, Collins hopes for a drama‑free next season, but he knows the memories of this roller‑coaster campaign will linger. The Dons’ final push promises excitement for fans, and Collins is determined to play a pivotal role in securing that long‑awaited ascent back up the football ladder.