AFC Wimbledon are delighted to announce the signing of defender Chris Gunter on a one-year contract.
The vastly experienced 32-year-old boasts a record of 109 caps for the Welsh national team and adds yet more depth to our defensive options ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
Born in Newport, Chris began his career with his boyhood club Cardiff City after progressing through the Bluebirds’ youth academy before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in 2007 as part of a multi-million pound deal.
After leaving Spurs in 2009 he then went on to enjoy the most successful spells of his career, first with Nottingham Forest and then with Reading – amassing an impressive 429 Championship appearances across both clubs.
In 2020 he then linked up with Charlton Athletic and subsequently Johnnie Jackson as he went on to play over 50 times for the Addicks before leaving the Valley this summer.
The 2017 Welsh Footballer of the Year becomes our second arrival of the summer following the arrival of Alex Pearce back in June.
Speaking after signing on the dotted line with the Dons, Chris expressed how pleased he was to get the deal done.
“It’s always good when you finish talking to a club and get signed. I can’t wait to get started.
“Once the manager called me it made sense for me to come here. I’m excited about it and everything works for me to be here. I’m really thankful that he called, I know what the aim is for us this season and hopefully we can achieve it.”
Johnnie Jackson was also understandably happy to have the move completed.
“I’m delighted to have brought in someone of Chris’s caliber. His character is really important as well. We’ve brought in an experienced international who will be a big help on and off the football pitch with the way that he conducts himself and trains every day.
“He’s a versatile player that can play in a number of positions across the backline. It all happened pretty quickly after we had initial contact. I worked with him last season and we have always had a good relationship. It was something that he was keen on as soon as we got in contact.
“We’ll be mixing it up. We want experience but at the same time we will be looking at getting some younger ones in. It’s not about age, it’s about the experiences that they’ve had in the past.”
PICS: Lucy Dixon