Steven and Ryan Sessegnon made a memorable appearance together at Craven Cottage last month, each cradling their own daughters as they stepped onto the pitch. The pair had risen through Fulham's youth system side by side and had occasionally shared first‑team duties, but that evening marked the first occasion they faced each other as opponents.
The moment felt like a full‑circle chapter in their intertwined careers. In the previous three seasons, a fixture of this nature would have been a perfect excuse for a family get‑together. Steven had been based in Manchester for three years while playing for Wigan Athletic, meaning the twins were often separated by distance. Now, however, Steven is back in his native south‑west London – not merely visiting, but truly returning to his roots.
During a relaxed interview with Sky Sports on a terrace at AFC Wimbledon’s training complex in New Malden, Steven gestured toward the surrounding fields. "We used to play academy games literally on this very grass," he said, smiling. He then pointed to a nearby school, "I spent a lot of time at Coombe Boys School, which is just five minutes away," he added. A short six‑minute drive leads to Fulham’s Motspur Park training ground, where his nephew Kayden is now a member of the Under‑18 squad.
"It feels incredibly wholesome to be back," Steven explained. "Being close to family makes a huge difference. I get to see my older brothers, my nieces and nephews, and I still catch up with Ryan a few times a week.
We play at different levels, so we don’t compare league positions, but we talk about life, fatherhood, responsibility and what the future holds for us as men in our families." Steven’s homecoming arrives at a pivotal juncture in his professional life. In his debut season with Wigan in 2023/24 he featured in 29 matches across all competitions. The following year was marred by a calf strain and a knee problem that kept him out of action after early January 2025.
At the start of his third campaign, new manager Gary Caldwell – who replaced Ryan Lowe in February 2025 – placed Steven on the transfer list. "Things move quickly in football," Steven reflected. "When I was listed, I was told I wouldn’t play and I missed the pre‑season tour, yet I ended up starting the first league game because of injuries and squad shortages, and I thought I performed well.
It’s part of the business. The manager wanted a different direction, and if everyone can leave happy and find clubs where they can thrive, there’s no problem." A permanent move never materialised, so when Caldwell did select him, Steven was deployed at centre‑back – a position he had never occupied before. "It was very, very tough," he admitted. "I felt I could contribute, but I didn’t have the confidence of the staff behind me.
I wasn’t given the trust to play in my natural role, yet I still got a chance to be on the pitch. It simply didn’t click." He stressed that the difficulty was personal rather than collective. "There was no issue with anyone else, only with myself. I learned a lot, especially about professionalism.
Even when I wasn’t in the squad and was told I wasn’t part of the plans, I had to carry myself with dignity and be the best version of a professional footballer. I felt I owed it to myself to prove I was still a quality trainer and player, and that mindset probably kept me at the club longer than they intended." Wigan released Steven in the summer, and on 25 June he signed a two‑year contract with AFC Wimbledon, with an option for a further twelve months. "I was about to go on holiday with my family when I got the call. As soon as they mentioned Wimbledon – a local club – I said ‘let’s sort it out’," he recalled.
"The role they offered and the way manager Johnnie Jackson described it made sense. I knew I could get minutes and showcase my ability." Steven’s 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 experience as almost surreal.
His league debut followed on 7 September, a 2‑0 victory over Bromley in Sky Bet League One. Though he has had to be patient, he understands the reasoning behind his gradual integration. "It’s similar to returning from injury – there’s a nervous edge, but the pre‑season and the staff at Wimbledon have looked after me well. The manager communicates clearly and has given me the support I need," Steven said.
"I wanted to start and play as many games as possible, but coming off the bench a few times has actually helped me regain match sharpness." He praised the style of football at Wimbledon as the simplest yet most effective of his career. "We create chances, I get the ball high up the pitch, and the system isn’t over‑complicated. It brings out the best in the squad and in me.
I enjoy it, and it eases pressure on the team – we know we can produce opportunities, we just need to stay solid defensively." Wimbledon’s defensive record backs that claim: five clean sheets in seven league games, the joint‑best in the Sky Bet EFL at the time of writing. They sit four points behind league leaders Bradford City heading into the Saturday trip to Cambridge, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+. Despite scoring only five goals, the Dons remain among the bookmakers’ favourites for relegation, a paradox that underscores the unpredictability of the league. Now, back on familiar ground, Steven Sessegnon has a genuine opportunity to help AFC Wimbledon defy the odds once more, playing just a stone’s throw from the neighbourhood where his football journey began.
His blend of experience, renewed confidence and the support of family could prove pivotal as the Dons chase stability and perhaps a surprise push up the table. Watch Cambridge United versus AFC Wimbledon live on Sky Sports+ this Saturday at 3 pm, and follow the Sessegnon twins as they continue to write their parallel yet distinct chapters in English football.