‘Been there, seen it and done it’ – Dons boss expresses delight at landing Millwall defender on free transfer

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson is delighted to have signed ex-Millwall centre-back Alex Pearce.

The 33-year-old becomes Jackson’s first addition since taking charge at Plough Lane last month and will add vital experience and leadership to the squad.

Pearce spent three-and-a-half seasons with Millwall – initially joining on loan from Derby County before signing permanently in the summer of 2019. He made more than 80 appearances for the Lions and was rewarded with the club captaincy.

The Dons required a centre-back after it was announced that Ben Heneghan, who missed only five games in League One last season, will depart the club at the end of the month.

Pearce has recorded more than 300 appearances in club football and picked up nine international caps for the Republic of Ireland.

Jackson told the South London Press: “It’s well-documented that we had one of the youngest teams across the top four divisions last season.

“It is great in some respects that we’re producing good young footballers that are getting opportunities in the first team, and that’s something which we will always do as a football club.

“But I definitely feel that we need to add some experience to the ranks as well – the people that have been there, seen it, done it and had success in their career. Alex Pearce has done all of that.

“When I met him, he was someone I got a great feel for – he’s a great character. He’s a leader, he has got that experience, and he is still more than capable as a player as well.

“He is definitely something that I was looking to add to the club and to the environment to help the younger players.

“It’s great if you can have that mix of experience and youth for when times do get a little bit tough, so you have got your experienced players there to have a little bit of a shoulder for the younger ones to lean on.

“Perhaps that was missing a little bit last season.”

Pearce’s former side Reading, where he began his career, was mooted as a possible destination after it was confirmed he would be leaving Millwall at the end of the season.

But the centre-back will be dropping down two divisions to help AFC Wimbledon gain promotion from League Two at the first time of asking.

“Absolutely,” said Jackson on Pearce’s signing being a statement of intent from the Dons.

“I’m delighted to have him on board. I know that he was sought after – he was garnering a lot of interest.

“For me, it shows real intent of how we want to go about our business this summer and what we are looking to do.

“I’m here to try and help the club bounce back, and I need to get the right types of players and characters in the building. It’s a great start for us to get someone such as Alex Pearce on board.”

Pearce only made six appearances last season in the Championship.

“That was something we spoke about when we met up,” said Jackson.

“I sold my ambitions to him, and his ambitions tied in perfectly – he’s not just here to make numbers up.

“He didn’t play as much as he wanted to last season, and that’s something which he is desperately keen to do and something which he really got across to me.

“He wants to play, feels as though he has got a lot left to give, and he wants to be a part of a project and something he can get really behind.

“He believed in my vision for the football club over the next couple of years, and he brought in to that and wants to be a part of it.”

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