Steven and his brother Ryan Sessegnon made a memorable exit from Craven Cottage last month, each cradling a daughter as they walked side by side. The twins had risen through Fulham’s youth system together and even shared the first‑team pitch on a few occasions, but that evening marked the first time they faced each other as opponents. It felt like a full‑circle moment for the family, a symbolic reunion after years of separate paths.

In previous seasons, a match like this would have been a perfect excuse for a family gathering. Steven had spent three years in Manchester, plying his trade for Wigan Athletic, while Ryan was establishing himself elsewhere. Now, however, Steven has returned to his roots—not just to south‑west London, but to the neighbourhood he grew up in.

While speaking to Sky Sports on a terrace at the Dons’ training complex in New Malden, he pointed out the familiar grass where he once played academy fixtures. "We used to play academy games literally across this grass," he recalled, gesturing to the left. He added that he attended Coombe Boys School, only a five‑minute walk away, and that Fulham’s Motspur Park training ground is a short six‑minute drive from his current home.

His nephew Kayden is now part of Fulham’s U‑18 squad, adding another family tie to the area. "It’s really wholesome to be back," Steven said, smiling.

"Being around family helps massively. I get to see my older brothers, my nieces, my nephews, and I see Ryan a few times a week. We play at different levels, so there isn’t a lot of direct competition, but we catch up about life, fatherhood, responsibility, and what the future holds for us." Steven’s homecoming arrives at a pivotal juncture in his professional journey.

In his debut season with Wigan in 2023‑24 he featured in 29 matches across all competitions. The following year was marred by calf and knee problems, and he did not feature after 4 January 2025. At the start of his third campaign, new manager Gary Caldwell—who had taken over from Ryan Lowe in February 2025—placed him on the transfer list. "Things happen fast in football," Steven reflected.

"When I was put on the transfer list I was told I wouldn’t play and I missed the pre‑season trip. Yet I ended up starting the first game of the season because of injuries and lack of options, and I thought I performed well. It’s part of the business. The manager wanted a different direction, and as long as everyone can move on to clubs where they can succeed, there’s no problem." A permanent move never materialised, and when Caldwell did select him he was deployed at centre‑back—a position Steven 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 coaching staff behind me. I was still given a chance to play, but it never clicked.

There was no issue with anyone else, only myself. I learned a lot, especially about professionalism. Even when I wasn’t playing, I tried to be the best version of myself.

I felt I owed it to myself to prove I was still a good trainer and a good player, and that 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 deal 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, local, I said ‘let’s sort it’. It also mattered where I would play and how manager Johnnie Jackson envisioned my role.

It wasn’t complicated – I knew I could come in, get minutes, and show what I can do," he recounted. His first appearance for the Dons came on 8 August in the Carabao Cup against Newport, roughly six months after his last competitive outing for Wigan. He expressed genuine disbelief 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. Steven admits he has had to be patient, but he understands the reasoning behind the gradual integration.

"It’s like recovering from injuries – you’re anxious to get going, but the pre‑season and the club have looked after me well. The manager communicates clearly, and that helps. I wanted to start and play as many games as possible, but coming off the bench a few times has actually helped me regain my rhythm." He describes Wimbledon’s style as the "simplest football" he has ever played, yet also the most effective.

"We create chances, I get the ball high up the pitch, it’s not over‑thought, and that brings out the best in the squad and in me. I’ve enjoyed it so far and it takes pressure off the whole team – we know we can create opportunities, we just have to 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. They sit four points behind leaders Bradford ahead of their upcoming away fixture at Cambridge, a match that will be streamed 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 soil, Steven Sessegnon has a fresh chance to help AFC Wimbledon defy the odds, playing just a short distance from where his footballing journey began. His story illustrates the resilience required to navigate setbacks, the importance of family support, and the value of seizing new opportunities when they arise.