Young goalkeeper Charlie Setford joins MK Dons on loan from Ajax
21-year-old arrives at Stadium MK for the remainder of the season
Milton Keynes Dons have added promising goalkeeper Charlie Setford to their squad, signing the 21-year-old on loan from Dutch side Ajax, subject to FA, EFL, and international clearance.
Setford brings plenty of experience for his age, having made his first start for Ajax U21s in the 2021/22 season at just 17 years old, becoming the youngest goalkeeper to ever play for the team. He has also been named on the bench for Ajax’s First Team during UEFA Champions League matches, gaining exposure to football at the highest level.
The young shot-stopper has a strong international profile, having represented both England and the Netherlands at youth levels. After making appearances for the Netherlands U15s and U16s, Setford has since focused on playing for England, where he has featured for the U16s, U18s, and U20s squads.
Setford comes from a sporting family, with his father being a professional golfer and his brother playing as a goalkeeper for Arsenal’s academy.
MK Dons Head Coach Paul Warne praised Setford’s abilities, describing him as a goalkeeper with strong shot-stopping skills, good distribution, and confidence in claiming crosses.
“We’ve brought him in to compete within our goalkeeping department, and he’ll play a significant role in the team,” said Warne, while thanking Ajax for facilitating the loan deal.
Sporting Director Liam Sweeting highlighted Charlie’s unique experiences at a young age, including playing for Ajax II and being part of their Champions League squad.
“We’re confident his development will benefit from working with our Head of Goalkeeping, Tom Weal, and our goalkeepers. This partnership with Ajax is exciting for everyone involved,” Sweeting added.
Setford expressed enthusiasm about joining MK Dons, saying, “I’m really looking forward to getting started. I want to be there for the team and help them have a successful season.”
Charlie will wear the number 28 shirt and is expected to make an impact during his time at Stadium MK.