AFC Wimbledon are set to complete the signing of a Championship target, mere hours after beating Wigan Athletic to earn their first league win of the season.
Johnnie Jackson’s side scored their first goal of the season through an 88th minute strike from Myles Hippolyte in what also gave them their first victory, seeing them climb up to 14th in League One.
Elsewhere, the club have already been busy in the transfer window – securing a hatful of new additions including Bristol City’s Harry Cornick, Stevenage’s Dan Sweeney and the return of Wycombe Wanderers’ James Tilley.
However, with the transfer window coming to a close in the coming days – clubs across the EFL are working hard to complete their final few deals and AFC Wimbledon are no exception.
AFC Wimbledon set to complete Championship addition
Whilst the club have been busy in the transfer window so far, they’ve yet to recruit a new number one and have thus been forced to rely on back-up goalkeeper Joe McDonnell so far this season.
During his three outings so far, he’s kept two clean sheets and conceded just once during a 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy.
However, Jackson & his recruitment team are evidently still in search of a new man between the sticks and fortunately for them, a deal for one has been agreed.
As reported by journalist Alex Crook, AFC Wimbledon are set to complete the loan signing of Portsmouth goalkeeper Josef Bursik.
The 26-year-old featured 11 times across all competitions for Portsmouth last season, keeping two clean sheets during matches against Wrexham and Middlesbrough, but is yet to feature for the club competitively since his injury against Stoke City in April.
Bursik has prior experience in the EFL with the likes of Stoke and Peterborough United as well as his stint with Scottish Premiership side Hibernian.
It remains unconfirmed as to whether this will be a six-month deal or a full season.
How key could this addition be for the Dons?
Despite McDonnell’s clean sheets in the league so far this season, his main role is to provide competition to a number one – having made just 16 appearances in the entirety of last season.
AFC Wimbledon do have another goalkeeper at their disposal in the form of Nathan Bishop, but he was an unused substitute on Sunday and conceded 58 times last season as the club almost slipped into a relegation battle.
Bursik’s injury return at Fratton Park likely meant that the club felt he needed to play regular minutes this season.
It’s also worth noting that unlike other loans, Bursik is a former AFC Wimbledon Academy player, thus knowing the club and supporters well which should make for an easier transition.
The 26-year-old has Championship experience with Stoke & Portsmouth as well as top-flight experience with Hibernian, adding a vital presence between the sticks moving forward.
AFC Wimbledon managed to avoid relegation by four points last season and will be eager to avoid another close call this season, thus making the addition of a second-tier feature one that will add further depth, quality and healthy competition to the club’s defence moving into the season itself.
