Aaron Collins made the surprising decision to drop a tier 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 well‑founded; the striker had just been honoured as Wanderers' Player of the Year for the 2024/25 season after netting 19 goals and providing five assists across 55 matches in all competitions.

Following a routine medical examination in Dubai—taken after a holiday that took him through Thailand and Bali—Collins officially became MK Dons' most expensive signing, with the club reportedly shelling out around £800,000. The fee sparked a buzz among supporters who were eager to see value for money and hoped the new forward would hit the ground running.

Unfortunately, the opening chapter of his MK Dons story began with a setback. In his very first home appearance against Oldham on August 2, the 27‑year‑old suffered a broken shoulder. "In the first game of the season I ended up breaking my shoulder," Collins recalled. "It should have been a penalty, but I didn’t get one, which made it even more frustrating.

I kept playing thinking it was just a jar, then an X‑ray on Monday confirmed the fracture and I was out for six to eight weeks. It felt like a kick in the teeth because I was so eager for the new season and wanted to make a big impact." The injury forced him onto the sidelines for six league fixtures and the Carabao Cup first‑round loss to Bristol City. He finally returned as a substitute in a 1‑1 draw at Chesterfield on September 13, and three days later celebrated a goal in a 5‑1 Vertu Trophy defeat to West Ham United’s U21 side. However, misfortune struck again later that week when a hamstring pull kept 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 happens for a reason." The forced downtime gave Collins a chance to empathise with teammates who had endured similar struggles. "I got to put myself in other people’s shoes, to understand how they felt. That perspective was surprisingly refreshing for my mental state," he said.

His first league start since the season opener arrived on December 20 against Harrogate. Collins seized the moment, scoring twice in a 4‑0 victory. "The excitement came back," he smiled.

"I thought this is the time to kick on and show why I’m here." By mid‑February, the striker had enjoyed roughly three months of uninterrupted football, believing his injury woes were behind him. Yet another blow came on February 14 when he scored the decisive goal in a 1‑0 win over his former side Newport. 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 something was trying to take the season away from me," Collins reflected. "We were only 12 or 13 games from the end, and Paterson’s injury was worse, so I had to get back as quickly as possible. Luckily I only missed two games and had ten days off.

I worked hard to keep the swelling down and manage the pain, and now I’m focused on making up for the time I lost." He emphasized the importance of starting matches rather than coming off the bench. "When I start, I can influence the game much more.

I’m just playing my game, trying to be that focal point. Since Paterson is out, I’ve had to step up and fill the void. Bad luck comes in threes, they say, but I’m done with that narrative now. My focus is on helping the team secure promotion." With only two fixtures remaining, MK Dons are perched on the brink of a historic promotion.

A three‑season spell in League Two—the longest in the club’s brief history—could finally be over. Collins knows the feeling of climbing the ladder; he earned promotion with Bristol Rovers in 2021/22 and famously celebrated atop a traffic light after that triumph.

This time, he jokes that a roundabout might be his celebration spot, noting the abundance of roundabouts in Milton Keynes. "There’s a saying in football that there’s no better feeling than promotion," he said. "I probably spent about half the season injured, but being able to contribute during the other half and help a group of 25‑30 lads achieve promotion is a memory I’ll cherish forever.

I still think about that unexpected promotion with Bristol Rovers—it was a shock in a good way. Here, we’ve hit form at the right moment and head into the final games with massive confidence." Looking ahead, Collins hopes for a smoother, drama‑free campaign next season, but he admits the roller‑coaster of this year will stay with him for a long time. The Dons’ final push promises excitement for supporters, and the striker is determined to play a pivotal role in securing the club’s ascent back to League One.