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 pair had risen through Fulham's youth system together and, on a few occasions, shared the senior team’s lineup.
Yet that evening marked a historic first: the twins faced each other as opponents for the very first time. The encounter felt like a full‑circle moment, a symbolic reunion that would have been a perfect family gathering in any of the previous three seasons. Back then, Steven was based in Manchester, plying his trade for Wigan Athletic, while Ryan was still in London.
Now, however, Steven has truly come back home – not merely to the south‑west London region but to the neighbourhood that shaped his early footballing years. Speaking to Sky Sports on a terrace at the Dons’ New Malden training ground, Steven pointed out the familiar surroundings. “We used to play academy matches literally on this very grass,” he said, gesturing to the left.
“I spent time at Coombe Boys School, which is just five minutes up the road.” He added that Fulham’s Motspur Park facility is a short six‑minute drive away, where his nephew Kayden is currently a member of the club’s under‑18 squad. “It’s incredibly wholesome to be back,” Steven explained.
“Being close to family makes a massive difference. I get to see my older brothers, my nieces and nephews, and I catch up with Ryan a few times a week. We play at different levels, so there isn’t a lot of direct comparison, 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 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 play again after 4 January 2025. At the start of his third season, new manager Gary Caldwell – who had succeeded Ryan Lowe in February 2025 – placed him on the transfer list.
“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 game of the season because of injuries and squad shortages, and I thought I performed well. It’s part of the business. The club wanted a new direction, and as long as everyone can leave on good terms and find a place where they can thrive, there’s no problem.” A permanent move never materialised, so when Caldwell did give Steven a chance, he 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 trust or belief to settle into that role. I still got the opportunity to play, but it never clicked for me.” He emphasized that the difficulty was internal rather than external. “There was no issue with anyone else; the learning curve was mine. I took away a lot about professionalism.
Even when I was told I wasn’t part of the plans, I tried to carry myself with dignity and be the best teammate I could be. I felt I owed it to myself to prove I was still a good trainer and a capable player, and that attitude probably kept me at the club longer than they expected.” The Latics released Steven in the summer, and on 25 June he 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,” he recalled. “When they said Wimbledon, a local club, I thought ‘let’s sort it out.’ The role the manager, Johnnie Jackson, outlined was straightforward – I knew I could get minutes and showcase my ability.” Steven’s 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 still looks a little stunned when he thinks about that gap. 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 his match fitness.
“It feels a bit like returning from injury – there’s some anxiety, but the pre‑season and the club have taken great care of me,” he said. “The manager communicates well and has looked after me.
I wanted to start and play as many games as possible, but coming off the bench a few times has actually helped me reacquaint myself with the pace of the game.” Steven describes Wimbledon’s style as the simplest yet most effective football he has experienced. “We create chances, I get the ball high up the pitch, and it’s not over‑thought. That simplicity brings out the best in the squad and in me.
I’ve enjoyed it so far, and it eases pressure on the team – we know we can produce opportunities; we just need to stay solid.” The Dons have indeed been defensively resolute, keeping five clean sheets in their first seven league matches – the joint‑best record in the Sky Bet EFL. They sit four points behind leaders Bradford United heading into the Saturday trip to Cambridge, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+.
Despite scoring only five goals so far, Wimbledon remain among the bookmakers’ favourites for relegation this season. Nevertheless, back on familiar soil, Steven Sessegnon now has the platform to help AFC Wimbledon defy the odds, playing just a stone’s throw from the fields where his footballing story began. His journey underscores the resilience required to navigate setbacks, the importance of family support, and the belief that a return home can reignite a career.