AFC Wimbledon have secured the signing of experienced midfielder Romaine Sawyers, who arrives at Plough Lane after a spell without a club.
The 33-year-old, previously with clubs such as Brentford, West Bromwich Albion, and Cardiff City, has agreed to a short-term deal with the League Two side as he looks to reignite his career and help the Dons push for promotion. He once cost the Baggies £2.9 million, but is now on a mission to keep his career alive.
Sawyers’ arrival adds significant experience to Johnnie Jackson’s squad, with the Saint Kitts and Nevis international having played over 400 league games across England’s top four divisions. Despite being without a club since June, following his release by Cardiff City, Sawyers has been granted an initial one-month contract, with the possibility of extending it into the New Year.
A Career in Need of Revival
Romaine Sawyers’ career took off with Walsall, where he made over 150 appearances, before making the step up to the Championship with Brentford. He played a key role in the club’s rise, even captaining the team in 2019, a period when players like Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins were making their mark at the Bees. His performances led to a move to West Brom, where he earned a Premier League spot with the Baggies in 2020.
However, Sawyers’ time in the top flight was short-lived, as West Brom were relegated after just one season. His subsequent loans to Stoke City and permanent move to Cardiff City saw him fall down the footballing ladder. Although he featured prominently in his first season at Cardiff, Sawyers’ game time significantly decreased in the following years, culminating in a lack of minutes under new manager Erol Bulut. After a frustrating 2023-24 season in which he played only 357 minutes, Sawyers was told he could leave the Welsh club despite having a year left on his contract.
A Fresh Start at AFC Wimbledon
Despite his recent struggles, Sawyers remains optimistic about his new challenge at AFC Wimbledon. The midfielder sees the move as an opportunity to return to competitive football and contribute to the Dons’ promotion bid.
“It’s a good fit for me – a young manager and squad that is trying to push in the right direction,” he said in his first statement after signing. “Wimbledon narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season, we have some injuries right now but I feel there’s the talent required to go one better.”
He continued, “For me personally, it feels good to get back into a position to start playing again after a few months without a club. My aim is to come in and utilise my experience to help the boys get some results over the busy Christmas period.”
Site Opinion
Sawyers’ experience in higher divisions could be invaluable to AFC Wimbledon, particularly given the club’s ambitions to move up the league. He brings with him leadership qualities, having captained previous teams, and a wealth of knowledge from his time playing in the Championship and Premier League. “I’ve played at this level and at the three above it, I like to think it’s natural for me to help others and offer advice, having been captain at clubs in the past. I’ll be aiming to offer that in training and on matchdays.”
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