League Two side Milton Keynes Dons have permanently signed Nathaniel Mendez-Laing from Derby County.
It is understood there is no transfer fee between the club in a deal that marks the first of MK Dons’ summer signings.
The 33-year-old will bring a wealth of EFL experience to the side that finished 19th in League Two last season, having played over 400 games in the Championship and League One.
Speaking on the club’s website, Mendez-Laing expressed his eagerness to get started at MK Dons: “I’m buzzing, happy to finally get this deal done! It’s a project that I’m really excited about, and I can’t wait to get going.”
Mendez-Laing is reuniting with Dons’ head coach, Paul Warne, with whom he won promotion to the Championship at Derby in 2024.
He continued: “I’ve always kept in touch with the gaffer (Paul Warne), he’s someone I highly respect. When the conversation happened, there was instant interest from my side. He’s a great and honest man.”
Speaking about his first signing as MK Dons Head Coach, Paul Warne said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Nathaniel! Having previously coached him, I’ve seen his skill set and capabilities firsthand, and it’s exactly what I wanted to introduce into this squad.”
Mendez-Laing spent three years at Derby County, being named captain by Warne at the start of the 2024/25 season, making 145 appearances and registering 54 goals and assists.
However, he lost the armband when John Eustace replaced Warne in February and became mostly an impact substitute as Derby narrowly avoided relegation.
Who is MK Dons’ new man?
Birmingham-born Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has played for 11 English sides during his 15-year career, across the top three divisions.
Initially beginning his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers and their academy, he spent time on loan at Peterborough and Sheffield United before moving to the former permanently in 2012. With Peterborough, he made 100 appearances and lifted the 2013/14 Football League Trophy.
This would then be followed by moves to Rochdale and Cardiff City.
With the Bluebirds, Mendez-Laing achieved promotion to the Premier League after finishing as runners-up in the Championship. In the top flight, he made 20 appearances, scoring four times and registering one assist. Half of his goal tally came in Cardiff’s 2-0 final-day away win over Manchester United in 2019, once the Welsh side were already confirmed to be relegated.
He would also have spells at Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
Mendez–Laing has also represented the Guyana national team 17 times, making his debut in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.