The Dons have taken the total number of summer signings to seven with the arrival of Stockport County defender Joe Lewis on a season-long loan.
Capable of playing across the backline, the Welsh-born centre-back made 24 appearances for his parent club last season as they narrowly missed out on promotion to League One.
Prior to his move to Edgeley Park in 2022, Joe began his career with Swansea City’s academy, becoming a regular at youth level as he sought to break into the first-team set-up.
However, after finding opportunities limited, he headed out on loan to Torquay United in the National League, with whom he would go on to become a key player as the Gulls sought a return to the EFL.
Three consistent seasons were topped off with a Young Player of the Year award for his performances during the 2021/22 campaign – subsequently attracting admiring glances from elsewhere towards the pacy defender.
It was Stockport who won the race for his signature, providing the player with a platform to take in his first experience of playing in the Football League.
After being handed a new contract by County, Joe will now be aiming to make a big impression after completing his move to the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Speaking after becoming a Don, our new signing said: “It’s brilliant to be here after finding out this week about the interest. Just looking around the stadium has got me excited!
“Knowing some of the lads will help me settle in – I was with Ali (Ali-Hamadi) at Swansea and Ryan Johnson last season at Stockport. It’s also great to have met all the other lads at training today. It was nice to get in and be involved.
“The manager played a large part in me wanting to come here. I knew he was someone I want to play for when I met him. The club is ambitious. I want to help us have a good season. Hopefully I can excite the fans.”