Aaron Pierre discusses his contract situation at AFC Wimbledon
BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk
Aaron Pierre has admitted it would be “amazing” to stay on at AFC Wimbledon for next season – but wants to leave any discussions over a new contract until the end of the campaign.
The defender joined the Dons in the January transfer window, signing a six-month deal at Plough Lane after being allowed to leave Sutton United on a free transfer.
Pierre broke into the Wimbledon side before the 2-1 defeat at Doncaster in March and kept his place alongside Will Nightingale at the heart of the backline.
Only an international call-up and the injury he picked up in the 3-2 defeat at home to Salford have kept him out of the side.
“I have no idea what the plans are yet,” Pierre told the South London Press of his AFC Wimbledon future.
“The first thought is winning on Saturday and going from there. Anything at the end of the season will happen then – that’s when all the talks are done.
“If you think too far ahead, you get misguided about what your objective is. I would rather address it at the end of the season – it’s only right then. You want to go where you’re loved.
“If this is a place that would love to have me back, then I’m in the right place. We can see how things go from there. But 100 per cent, it would be amazing [to be here next year].
“The stadium is amazing, and you get a great reception with the crowd. It’s a very good club. I am enjoying my time here.
“I had to be patient to get my chance, but when I got the opportunity, I had to try and take it with both hands. I believe I did. Hopefully, everyone else sees that as well.”
The Grenada international signed for Sutton in the summer after leaving Shrewsbury Town. But just 10 minutes into his debut at home to Tranmere, the former Wycombe and Northampton centre-back suffered an ankle injury.
He only featured once more for Matt Gray’s side – a 17-minute cameo at home to Gillingham – before he moved on to join Johnnie Jackson’s Dons.
Pierre said: “I needed to get game time. After the injury, there were mixed signals with the gaffer [at Sutton] and myself. It was some form of disagreement as to why I wasn’t getting the opportunity.
“Anyone in that situation wants a fresh start and wants to show people the reason why you have played so many games and that you have still got it. Sometimes you need to make the executive decision to part ways.
“When I got the chance to come to Wimbledon, I said: ‘I need to go.’
“Wimbledon was perfect. It was a London-based club, and I had played against them loads of times.
“We got it over the line. I was just happy – I felt relief. I was so much happier being in an environment where I knew a couple of the players and the direction of the club.
“Once I got the game time under my belt and started feeling myself properly, then, hopefully, the Wimbledon fans saw that I gave it my all and did the best I could.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD