Adebayo Akinfenwa became one of the hottest free-agents around after his promotion-winning exploits last season, culminating with a Wembley goal to send Wimbledon up to League One for the first time.
Since then, offers have been pouring in from around the world to secure “The Beast’s” signature and the 34-year-old had some tough decisions to make. But after a summer of relaxing, partying and learning poker as part of Party Pokers Big Bluff competition, it was announced that Akinfenwa would join up with former Wimbledon midfielder Gareth Ainsworth down at Wycombe Wanderers.
Despite having one of the smallest squads and budgets in the division, Ainsworth has enjoyed plenty of success since taking over as manager in 2012. Last season wasn’t their best under his leadership, with inconsistent form resulting in the Wanderers finishing eleven points outside the play-offs, but they have been very active so far in the transfer window to make sure they can sustain a promotion challenge.
Pacey wingers Myles Weston and Paris Cowan-Hall have come into the squad, but it’s the signing of Akinfenwa which could prove to be the best bit of business this summer.
After starting life with FK Atlantas in Lithuania, Wycombe will be the 14th British club Akinfenwa has signed for since joining Barry Town in 2003. His sheer size and strength make him a real handful for defenders at this level of the game and as he’s got older, he has become much more composed and effective in front of goal. He’s gone on to score over 150 goals during his career and all three of his last three clubs have gained promotion to League One whilst he was at the club.
On the club’s official website, Gareth Ainsworth said of the signing:
“I believe that bringing Bayo to the club shows our intent to give it a real push to go bigger and better than what we achieved last season.”
And Ainsworth will no doubt be hoping his Wycombe side can get back to the sort of form that saw them reach the play-off final in 2014 and with a player of Akinfenwa’s quality spearheading their assault, then I’m sure they will be a big danger in League Two next season.