Steven and his twin brother Ryan Sessegnon made a memorable appearance at Craven Cottage last month, each cradling a daughter as they walked onto the pitch together. The pair, who rose through Fulham's youth system side‑by‑side and shared a handful of first‑team outings, faced each other for the first time in a competitive match that night – a moment that felt like a full‑circle reunion for the family. In the three seasons that preceded this encounter, a fixture such as this would have been a perfect excuse for a family get‑together.
At the time, Steven was based in Manchester, plying his trade for Wigan Athletic, while Ryan was establishing himself elsewhere. Now, however, Steven has returned to his roots – not merely to the south‑west London region, but to the very neighbourhood where his football journey began. Speaking to Sky Sports from a terrace at AFC Wimbledon’s training complex in New Malden, the 28‑year‑old pointed out the familiar surroundings. “We used to play academy matches literally on this grass,” he said, gesturing to the field on his left.
He added that he had attended Coombe Boys’ School, a short five‑minute walk from the training ground, and that Fulham’s Motspur Park facility was only six minutes away by car. His nephew Kayden now features in Fulham’s under‑18 side, a fact that makes the return feel especially wholesome, he explained. “It’s incredibly rewarding to be back,” Sessegnon said. “Being close to family makes a huge difference.
I get to see my older brothers, my nieces and nephews, and I see Ryan a few times each week. We play at different levels, so we’re not directly competing, but we catch up about life, fatherhood, providing for our families and what the future holds.” Steven’s homecoming arrives at a pivotal juncture in his professional life. After a promising debut season with Wigan in 2023‑24, where he featured in 29 matches across all competitions, his second season was marred by calf and knee injuries that kept him out of action after early January 2025. When Gary Caldwell took over as manager in February 2025, he placed Steven on the transfer list.
“Things move quickly in football,” Steven reflected. “When I was told I was on the transfer list I missed the pre‑season trip, but injuries to other players meant I started the first league game of the season and felt I performed well.” A permanent move never materialised, and when Caldwell did select him, Steven was deployed as a centre‑back – a position he had never occupied before. “It was very, very tough,” he admitted. “I wanted to contribute, but I didn’t have the confidence of the manager behind me.
Still, I kept training, kept my professionalism, and learned a lot about resilience and how to conduct myself when I wasn’t in the starting XI.” He emphasized that the experience, while difficult, taught him valuable lessons about professionalism and perseverance, which he believes will serve him for the rest of his career. After being released by the Latics in the summer, Steven signed a two‑year contract with AFC Wimbledon on 25 June, with an optional additional year.
He recalled the moment he received the call: “I was about to go on holiday with my family when Wimbledon rang. The moment I heard it was a local club, I said ‘let’s sort it out.’ The role the manager, Johnnie Jackson, outlined was clear – I would get minutes and a chance to prove myself.” His first appearance for the Dons came on 8 August in a Carabao Cup tie against Newport, roughly six months after his last competitive outing for Wigan. He described the feeling as “genuine disbelief” to be back on the pitch. His league debut followed on 7 September, a 2‑0 victory over Bromley in Sky Bet League One.
Though he has mostly come off the bench, Steven appreciates the gradual re‑integration: “It’s like recovering from injury – you have a bit of anxiety, but the pre‑season and the staff at Wimbledon have looked after me well. The manager communicates clearly, and those substitute appearances have helped me regain match sharpness.” Steven characterises the style of football at Wimbledon as the simplest he has ever played, yet also the most effective.
“We create chances, I get the ball high up the pitch, and the game isn’t over‑thought. It brings out the best in the squad and in me. I enjoy it, and it takes pressure off the team because we know we can produce opportunities if we stay solid.” Wimbledon’s defensive record backs that claim – five clean sheets in seven games, the joint‑best in the Sky Bet EFL at the time of writing.
The club sit four points behind leaders Bradford City heading into the Saturday fixture at Cambridge, a match that will be televised on Sky Sports+. Despite having scored just five goals, the Dons remain among the bookmakers’ favourites for relegation, a paradox that underscores the importance of a sturdy backline. Now firmly back on familiar soil, Steven Sessegnon hopes to help AFC Wimbledon defy expectations once more, playing just a short distance from the fields where his talent was first nurtured. His story is one of perseverance, family ties, and the belief that a return home can reignite a career that once seemed to be drifting away.