Steven and his twin brother Ryan Sessegnon stepped onto the pitch at Craven Cottage last month, each cradling a daughter in his arms. The pair had risen through Fulham’s academy side‑by‑side and, on a handful of occasions, shared the first‑team spotlight. Yet that evening marked a historic moment – it was the first time the brothers faced each other as opponents. The encounter felt like a full‑circle chapter in their football story.
In previous seasons, a match like this would have been a perfect excuse for a family reunion, as Steven spent three years in Manchester playing for Wigan while Ryan remained in London. Now, however, Steven has truly come back home – not just geographically to south‑west London, but emotionally to the community that shaped him. Speaking to Sky Sports from a terrace at the Dons’ training base in New Malden, Steven pointed out the familiar grass where he once played academy games. “We used to line up on this very pitch,” he said, gesturing to the left.
“I went to Coombe Boys School, just five minutes away, and Fulham’s Motspur Park training ground is only a short drive from here.” He added that his nephew Kayden now trains with Fulham’s under‑18 side, underscoring how close the family ties remain. “It’s incredibly wholesome to be back,” Steven explained.
“Being around my older brothers, my nieces and nephews, and seeing Ryan a few times a week makes a huge difference. We play at different levels, so there’s not a lot of direct comparison, but we catch up on life, fatherhood, responsibility and what lies ahead for each of us.” Steven’s homecoming comes at a pivotal juncture in his own career. After a promising debut season with Wigan in 2023/24, where he featured in 29 matches across all competitions, his second year was marred by calf and knee injuries that sidelined him from early January 2025.
The following summer, a change in management saw Gary Caldwell – who had succeeded Ryan Lowe in February 2025 – place Steven on the transfer list. “The game moves quickly,” Steven reflected. “When I was told I was on the transfer list, I missed the pre‑season trip and was told I wouldn’t play. Yet I ended up starting the first match of the season because of injuries and squad shortages, and I think I performed well.” He described the situation as part of the professional landscape: “If a club wants to go in a different direction, that’s their right.
As long as everyone walks away satisfied and can find a place where they can succeed, there’s no problem.” A permanent move never materialised, and when Caldwell did give him a chance, Steven was deployed at centre‑back – a position he had never occupied before. “It was very tough,” he admitted.
“I wanted to contribute, but I didn’t have the trust of the manager in my natural role. Still, I was given the opportunity to play, and I learned a lot from that experience.” He highlighted the importance of professionalism during those low periods: “Even when I wasn’t selected, I knew I had to carry myself properly and stay ready.
I felt I owed it to myself to prove I was still a quality trainer and player, and that attitude probably kept me at the club longer than they intended.” When Wigan released him in the summer, Steven received a call offering a two‑year deal – with an optional extra year – from AFC Wimbledon on 25 June. “I was about to go on holiday with my family when the call came. The moment I heard ‘Wimbledon, local,’ I said, ‘let’s sort it out.’” He added that the prospect of playing under manager Johnnie Jackson and the promise of regular minutes were decisive factors. “If I could get game time, I knew I could showcase my abilities.” Steven made his first appearance for the Dons on 8 August in a Carabao Cup tie against Newport, roughly six months after his last competitive outing for Wigan.
He expressed genuine amazement at how quickly he was back on the pitch. His league debut followed on 7 September, a 2‑0 victory over Bromley in Sky Bet League One. Although he has had to be patient, he understands the reasoning behind his gradual integration.
“It feels a bit like recovering from injury – there’s always a nervous edge,” he said. “But the pre‑season and the club have looked after me well. The manager communicates clearly, and that helps.” Steven noted that starting on the bench has actually benefited his match fitness: “Coming off the bench a few times has allowed me to reacquaint myself with the tempo of the game.” He described Wimbledon’s style as the simplest yet most effective football he’s ever played: “We create chances, I get the ball high up the pitch, and everything is straightforward. It brings out the best in the squad and in me.
I enjoy it, and it reduces pressure on the whole team – we know we can generate opportunities as long as we stay solid.” Wimbledon’s defensive record backs that claim – five clean sheets in seven matches, the joint‑best in the Sky Bet EFL. The Dons sit four points behind leaders Bradford heading into their Saturday trip to Cambridge, a game broadcast on Sky Sports+.
Despite having scored only five goals so far, they remain among the bookmakers’ favourites for relegation, a paradox that adds intrigue to their campaign. Now, back on familiar ground, Steven Sessegnon has the chance to help AFC Wimbledon defy the odds once more, playing just a stone’s throw from the neighbourhood where his football journey began. His story illustrates the resilience required to navigate setbacks, the value of family support, and the promise of a fresh start in a club that feels like home.