No sentiment in AFC Wimbledon return for Egli Kaja

AFC Wimbledon head coach Mark Robinson has signed Egli Kaja on a short-term deal – and reckons no sentiment was involved in the winger’s return.

The 24-year-old made 27 appearances for the Dons before joining Scottish Premiership side Livingston on loan at the midway point of the 2018-19 campaign.

His last stop was Northampton Town but he was released in January 2020 after playing just 84 minutes of League Two football.
Kaja’s last competitive action was in December 2019.

“I’ve know Egli since he was 10,” Robinson told Wimbledon’s official site. “He’s had a real tough time with constant injuries, so he asked me in pre-season if he could come back and we’d just help get him fit.

“Egli being Egli, he has gradually got himself fit and really impressed in training. He realises it is an opportunity for him to try and earn a contract for the future. He’s going to try and take it.

“It’s not a sentimental decision. He can play left, he can play right and off of a forward as well. He’s quick, powerful and plays off both feet. He’s very similar to Ryan Longman, who we had last season – very direct, likes to get at people and he’s played at the level. He probably didn’t get the chances he warranted, but he has played at the level and the Scottish Prem as well.

“I’m confident that if he hadn’t had these injuries then we wouldn’t have had this opportunity to sign him. He would have done great up in the Scottish Prem, he was well-liked when he went up there.”

PICTURE: AFC WIMBLEDON