Steven and his twin brother Ryan Sessegnon stepped onto the pitch at Craven Cottage side by side last month, each cradling a daughter in his arms. The two had risen through Fulham's academy together and had shared a handful of first‑team appearances, but that evening marked the first time they faced each other as opponents.
It was more than a match; it felt like a full‑circle moment for the family. In previous seasons, such a fixture would have been an ideal excuse for a family reunion. Steven had spent three years in Manchester, plying his trade for Wigan Athletic, while Ryan continued his career in the south‑west London area. Now, however, Steven is back not just in the region but truly back where his footballing roots lie.
Speaking to Sky Sports from the terrace of the Dons' training ground in New Malden, Steven pointed out the familiar grass that had once been the backdrop for his youth games. "We used to play academy matches literally across this grass," he recalled, gesturing to the left where Coombe Boys School sits just five minutes away. He also mentioned Fulham’s Motspur Park facility, a six‑minute drive from his current home, where his nephew Kayden is currently a member of the under‑18 squad.
"It’s incredibly wholesome to be back," Steven said, smiling. "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 a week. We play at different levels, so there isn’t a direct comparison, but we catch up about life, fatherhood, responsibility, and what the future holds for us." His return to London coincides with a pivotal juncture in his professional life. In his debut season with Wigan in 2023/24, Steven featured in 29 matches across all competitions.
The following campaign was marred by a calf problem and a knee injury that kept him out of action after early January 2025. When Gary Caldwell took over from Ryan Lowe in February 2025, he placed Steven on the transfer list, a move that shocked the player. "Things move quickly in football," Steven reflected. "When I was listed, I was told I wouldn’t feature and I missed the pre‑season tour.
Yet I ended up starting the first league game because of injuries and lack of depth, and I think I performed well. It’s part of the business. The manager wanted a new direction, and if everyone can move on to clubs where they can thrive, that’s fine." A permanent move never materialised, and when Caldwell did give Steven a chance, he was deployed as a centre‑back – a position he had never occupied before. "It was very tough," he admitted.
"I felt I could contribute, but I didn’t have the confidence of the manager behind me. I was still given a chance to play, but it never clicked. The biggest lesson was professionalism. Even when I was told I wasn’t in the plans, I had to carry myself, train hard and stay ready.
I wanted to prove I was still a quality player, and that attitude probably kept me at the club longer than they intended." Wigan released him in the summer, and on 25 June Steven 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 said Wimbledon, a local club, I said ‘let’s sort it out’," he recalled.
"The role the manager Johnnie Jackson described was clear – I knew I could get minutes and showcase my abilities." Steven made his first appearance for the Dons on 8 August in the Carabao Cup against Newport, roughly six months after his last competitive outing for Wigan. He described the experience as almost surreal. His league debut arrived on 7 September, a 2‑0 victory over Bromley in Sky Bet League One.
He has been patient, understanding the need to rebuild fitness and confidence after a long lay‑off. "Injuries create a certain anxiety about returning to full speed, but the pre‑season and the support at Wimbledon have been excellent. The manager communicates well and looks after me," he said.
"I wanted to start and play every game, 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 he has ever played. "We can create chances, I can 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. It takes pressure off the team because we know we can produce opportunities if we stay solid." Wimbledon’s defensive record backs his words: five clean sheets in seven matches, 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 game broadcast on Sky Sports+. Despite scoring just five goals, the Dons remain among the bookmakers’ favourites for relegation, a paradox that underscores the thin margins in League One. Back on familiar soil, Steven now has the platform to help AFC Wimbledon defy those odds, playing just a stone’s throw from where his football journey began. His story illustrates resilience – overcoming injuries, positional changes, and the disappointment of being transfer‑listed – and the importance of family support in reigniting a career.
As the season progresses, fans will be watching to see whether the Sessegnon twins, once academy mates, can each carve out successful chapters on opposite sides of the same pitch.