Steven and his brother Ryan Sessegnon stepped onto the pitch at Craven Cottage last month, each cradling their own daughters. The twins, who rose through Fulham's youth system together and have shared a handful of first‑team appearances, faced each other for the first time in a professional match.

It was a moment that felt like a full circle, a reunion that went beyond the football field. In previous seasons, such a meeting would have been a convenient family get‑together. Steven had spent the last three years in Manchester, plying his trade for Wigan Athletic, while Ryan was still based in south‑west London. This time, however, Steven has truly come back home – not merely to the region, but to the community that shaped his early years.

Speaking to Sky Sports from a terrace at the Dons' training ground in New Malden, Steven pointed out the familiar surroundings. "We used to play academy matches literally on this grass," he said, gesturing to the left. He recalled his days at Coombe Boys School, just a five‑minute walk away, and noted that Fulham’s Motspur Park training complex is only six minutes' drive from his current residence.

Even his nephew Kayden now trains with Fulham’s under‑18 squad, adding another layer of family connection. "It’s really wholesome to be back," Steven explained.

"Being around my family – 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 we don’t compare our football directly, but we catch up on life, fatherhood, responsibilities and what the future holds for each of us." Steven’s homecoming arrives at a pivotal juncture in his career. After a promising debut season with Wigan in 2023/24, where he featured in 29 matches across all competitions, his second campaign was derailed by a calf injury and a knee problem that kept him out of action from early January 2025. When Gary Caldwell took over as manager in February 2025, he placed Steven on the transfer list, signalling that the club was looking to move in a new direction.

"Things happen fast in football," Steven reflected. "When I was put on the transfer list I was told I wouldn’t play, so I missed the pre‑season trip. Yet I ended up starting the first game of the season because of injuries and a lack of options, and I think I performed well." The manager’s decision to try him in an unfamiliar role – centre‑back – proved challenging. "It was very tough.

I wanted to contribute, but I didn’t have the confidence or the backing to thrive in that position," he admitted. "I learned a lot from that experience, especially about professionalism. Even when I wasn’t selected, I kept my standards high and showed I was still a good trainer and a capable player.

That attitude probably kept me at the club longer than they intended." After being released by Wigan in the summer, Steven signed a two‑year contract with AFC Wimbledon on June 25, with an option for an additional twelve months. He recalled the moment he received the call: "I was about to go on holiday with my family when they said Wimbledon, local. I thought, ‘let’s sort this out.’ The role the manager Johnnie Jackson outlined was clear – if I could get minutes, I could prove my ability." Steven’s first appearance for the Dons came on August 8 in a Carabao Cup tie against Newport, roughly six months after his last competitive outing for Wigan.

He described the feeling as "genuine disbelief" when the whistle blew. His league debut followed on September 7, a 2‑0 victory over Bromley in Sky Bet League One.

Though he has mostly come off the bench, he understands the need for patience. "It’s similar to recovering from injury – there’s a nervousness about getting back to full speed. The pre‑season was good, and the club has looked after me well. The manager communicates clearly and gives me the chance to earn minutes," Steven said.

"Starting every game would have been ideal, but those substitute appearances have helped me regain match sharpness." He praised 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 system isn’t over‑thought. It brings the best out of the squad and of me personally.

It reduces pressure because we know we can generate opportunities if we stay solid." Wimbledon’s defensive record backs his assessment: five clean sheets in seven matches, the joint‑best in the Sky Bet EFL at the time of writing. The team sits four points behind leaders Bradford City heading into their upcoming trip to Cambridge, even though they have only netted five goals so far. Despite solid performances, bookmakers still list them among the clubs most likely to face relegation this season.

Now firmly rooted in familiar surroundings, Steven Sessegnon hopes to help AFC Wimbledon punch above their weight and defy the odds. The proximity to his childhood pitches and the support of his family provide a unique platform to rebuild his career and perhaps write a new chapter alongside his brother’s continued success.