Exclusive: Zach Robinson on AFC Wimbledon release, Dundee loan spells and plans for the future ahead

If you rewind to towards the end of the 2021-22 season, Zach Robinson looked set to be the next player from AFC Wimbledon’s academy to have broken through and establish himself in the first team alongside fellow graduates Ayoub Assal and Jack Rudoni.

The then-19-year-old striker had been handed an opportunity by Mark Bowen to lead the line for a Wimbledon side that was winless in 18 League One outings and rapidly falling towards the drop zone.

Robinson returned in his first two outings under the former Reading boss – assisting at Sheffield Wednesday away and also scoring his first senior goal against Charlton at Plough Lane – before suffering an injury in the 1-1 draw with Milton Keynes that ruled him out for the rest of the season as the Dons were relegated to League Two.

“I look back to some of the times very fondly,” Robinson, who has been released by the Dons, told the South London Press.

“It was a time when I was properly involved in the first team – more than I ever had been before. 

“It was cut short due to the hamstring injury. It was a young team, but I feel like there were opportunities to stay up.

“We didn’t win a game in a long time when we should have. There were moments that I’ll never forget – scoring at Plough Lane and playing at Hillsborough.

“It was the first time in my career that I really felt the presence of my environment. When I scored my first goal, it was surreal.

“It was late in the game, so I remember picking the ball up after it went in and just screaming – it was jubilation.

“I felt high on confidence. I still look back to that time as a moment I can look proudly on.”

The striker penned a new deal following the appointment of Johnnie Jackson but has effectively been away from Wimbledon for the entire two-year contract and has continued his development up in Scotland with Dundee.

Robinson joined the Dark Blues at the start of the 2022-23 season under former Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer and recorded 18 goal contributions across all competitions as they lifted the Scottish Championship title and won promotion to the top flight.

“It was one where the manager helped me a lot,” explained Lewisham-born Robinson.

“He developed me as a player and helped me understand that it was a level I hadn’t played too consistently at.

“He was very focused on improving me. We would spend a lot of time away from the pitch and he would show me where I would need to better my chances of scoring.

“Moving away from home wasn’t the easiest. I didn’t realise that some accents could be so different.

“But it was made easier having teammates from England who could help me settle it.

“It was good to be able to do that, adapt, and have a good season.”

Robinson returned to Dens Park last summer, this time under new boss Tony Docherty, with the aim of carrying over his form to the Premiership.

Injuries have prevented him from having a consistent run in the side, but Robinson has still netted six times in 25 outings, turned out at Ibrox and CelticPark and helped Dundee secure a top-half finish.

“It’s not been an ideal season for me,” added the former Woking loanee.

“I have had a fair amount of injuries this season. But being a part of the team and being able to play at a higher level against good opposition has been a good thing.

“Up in Scotland, it feels like everybody is a Celtic or Rangers fan. It’s been a privilege to play at Stadiums such as that and I don’t underestimate it.”

Wimbledon fans have always been curious about whether Robinson would get a second shot at coming back to the club and being presented with the opportunity to try to fire the club back to League One.

But last week he was officially released by Wimbledon. 

“It’s how football goes,” Robinson added.

“The last couple of years haven’t gone exactly how I would have maybe expected or hoped, but it’s part of the game.

“I wasn’t given the best opportunity, but that’s how it goes. People will want to say what they want to say about why, but football is a game of opinions.

“I feel as though I have improved a lot as a player during my time away from Wimbledon. Living alone has allowed me to understand myself a bit more and become more accountable for things.

“I have improved in a lot of areas.

“I have no hard feelings about it – I understand that side of the game. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out the way I would have wanted it to, but it doesn’t taint my image of Wimbledon at all.”

The 21-year-old, who has nearly 100 senior appearances to his name across his different loan spells and time with the Dons, is now a free agent for the first time in his senior career.

“I’m excited,” he said. 

“I’m not sure where I’m going right now, but I’m looking forward to kicking on in my career.

“As a young player, you’re always looking to move forward each year and progress, even if it’s a little bit.

“I’ll always keep track of Wimbledon – I always do. I have become a bit of a fan myself.”