Steven Sessegnon, Ryan’s twin, rebuilding at AFC Wimbledon

Steven Sessegnon, Ryan’s twin brother, is rebuilding his career at AFC Wimbledon. Last month, the two brothers walked out side by side at Craven Cottage, each accompanied by his daughter, before facing one another for the first time. Having come through Fulham’s academy together and played together in the first team on a few occasions, they experienced a special moment, “a full-circle moment”.

On September 7, Steven Sessegnon made his first league start for the Dons in a 2-0 Sky Bet League One victory over Bromley. It is a return that goes beyond being back in south-west London. On the terrace at Wimbledon’s training ground in New Malden, he points to the pitches in front of him: “We used to play academy games literally across this grass.” He also attended Coombe Boys School, “five minutes up the road”, while Fulham’s Motspur Park training ground is a six-minute drive away.

The move also brings him closer to family. His nephew Kayden is part of Fulham’s youth squad. “It’s really wholesome to be back,” Sessegnon says. “It helps massively being around family. I get to see my older brothers, my nieces, my nephews and I see my brother Ryan a few times a week.” With the twins playing at different levels, their conversations extend beyond football: “We catch up on life, being dads, being providers, being men in our families and what the future looks like.”

The return comes at an important point in his career. In his second season at Wigan, after playing 29 matches in all competitions in 2023/24, Sessegnon suffered calf and knee injuries and did not play again from January 4, 2025. At the start of his third season, Gary Caldwell, who had replaced Ryan Lowe in February 2025, put him on the transfer list.

“Things happen fast in football,” he says. “When I was put on the transfer list, I was told I wasn’t going to play and I didn’t go on the pre-season trip. But I ended up starting the first game of the season through injuries or lack of availability, and I thought I did well.” He does not dispute the decision: “It’s fair game, it’s part of it. The manager came in, the club wanted to go in a different direction. As long as everyone can come out of it happy and people can move on to clubs they know they can do well at, there’s no problem with it.”

As a move away did not materialise, Caldwell used him at centre-back on a few occasions, in a position he had never played before. “It was tough. Very, very tough. I felt like I could contribute to a team, but didn’t really have the trust or belief behind me to do it,” he says. “As much as I could say I didn’t have the proper backing to be in my own position, I was still given a chance to play football. It was down to me and it just never happened.” Sessegnon stresses that he had no issue with anyone other than himself and feels the experience taught him a great deal for the rest of his career.

The biggest lesson, he says, was professionalism. “Even in the worst stages, when I wasn’t playing and I was told I wasn’t going to be a part of it, I could still carry myself and be the best possible person.” He also wanted to show that he remained “a very good trainer” and player, which he believes helped him stay longer than the club probably wanted.

Released by the Latics during the summer, Sessegnon joined AFC Wimbledon on June 25 on a two-year contract with an option for a further 12 months. He was preparing to go on holiday with his family when the call came from the club: “As soon as they said Wimbledon, local, I said, ‘Let’s get it sorted.’” Johnnie Jackson’s plans and the position envisaged for him also mattered. “It wasn’t complicated. I knew I could come in and, if I could get minutes, I would show my ability.”

He has reportedly had to bide his time before establishing himself in the team, but says he understands why. His first Dons appearance came against Newport in the Carabao Cup on August 8, almost six months after his last competitive game for Wigan, a gap that surprised him himself. After his injuries, he acknowledges some anxiety about getting going again, while praising the way Wimbledon and Jackson have looked after him and communicated with him. Several substitute appearances, he says, helped him gradually get to grips with football again.

Sessegnon describes Wimbledon’s football as the simplest of his career, but also the most effective, notably because it allows him to receive the ball high up the pitch and create chances. “It’s not overthought, and I think it brings the best out of the whole squad and definitely myself. I’ve enjoyed it so far and it takes the pressure off the whole squad; we know we can create chances, we just have to be solid.”

The Dons have been solid: five clean sheets in seven matches, the joint-highest tally in the Sky Bet EFL. They travel to Cambridge on Saturday four points behind leaders Bradford, despite scoring only five goals. They are nevertheless still among the bookmakers’ favourites for relegation this season. Back on home soil, close to where it all began, Sessegnon now has the chance to help AFC Wimbledon defy the odds again. The trip to Cambridge will be live on Sky Sports+ on Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm.