Max Dean (footballer) explained

Max Dean
Fullname:Max Jimmy Dean[1]
Birth Date:21 February 2004
Position:Striker
Currentclub:Gent
Clubnumber:21
Youthclubs1:Leeds United
Years1:2023–2024
Clubs1:Milton Keynes Dons
Caps1:38
Goals1:16
Years2:2024–
Clubs2:Gent
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Club-Update:20:23, 7 May 2024 (UTC)

Max Jimmy Dean (born 21 February 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Belgian Pro League club Gent.

Career

Leeds United

Dean began his career with Leeds United,[2] signing his first professional contract with the club in March 2021.[3]

Milton Keynes Dons

On 20 January 2023, Dean signed for League One club Milton Keynes Dons on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee, reuniting with his former Leeds United U23 coach Mark Jackson.[4] [5] [6] [7] He made his senior professional debut for the club a day later as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 away win against Forest Green Rovers.[8] [9] On 4 February 2023, Dean scored his first senior professional goal in a 2–0 away win over Bristol Rovers.[10]

Following an impressive start to the 2023–24 season, Dean was awarded the EFL Young Player of the Month award for October 2023 having scored four goals in five appearances.[11]

Dean suffered an injury in February 2024.[12] [13] After returning to the first-team, he scored two goals and made two further assists in a 5–0 victory against Walsall on 30 March 2024.[14] [15] With the club reaching the play-offs, Dean finished the season as top scorer with 19 goals in all competitions, and was named Milton Keynes Dons' Young Player of the Year.[16]

Gent

On 12 July 2024, Dean joined Belgian Pro League club Gent on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[17] [18] [19] He made his competitive debut for the club on 1 August 2024 in a 3–0 second leg UEFA Conference League qualifying round away win over Vikingur, a game in which he provided an assist and scored from the penalty spot.[20]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leeds United U212020–212222
2021–223131
2022–231010
Milton Keynes Dons2022–23League One9191
2023–24League Two29151100433419
Total38161100434320
KAA Gent2024–25Belgian Pro League00001111
Career total381611001175024

Honours

Individual

October 2023[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: England - M. Dean - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway. uk.soccerway.com.
  2. Web site: Money can't buy you Max Dean • The Square Ball. 8 November 2022. www.thesquareball.net.
  3. Web site: Max Dean signs professional deal. 26 March 2021. www.leedsunited.com.
  4. News: Teenage striker Dean joins MK Dons from Leeds. BBC Sport .
  5. Web site: Max Dean signs for MK Dons. 19 January 2023. www.leedsunited.com.
  6. Web site: Joe Gelhardt's 'exit' message to former Leeds United teammate amid own departure. Oliver. Jones. 20 January 2023. LeedsLive.
  7. Web site: Who is MK Dons’ latest signing Max Dean?.
  8. Web site: Leeds United loan watch as out-of-contract man contributes third game running and Bate continues climb.
  9. Web site: Sky Bet League One (Sky Sports). Sky Sports.
  10. News: Bristol Rovers 0-2 Milton Keynes Dons. BBC Sport .
  11. Web site: MK Dons' Max Dean scoops the EFL's Young Player of the Month for October. www.efl.com. 17 November 2023. 17 November 2023.
  12. Web site: Dean set to be sidelined for several weeks with injury.
  13. Web site: Dean set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.
  14. Web site: Comeback Kid Dean wanted to make an immediate impact against Walsall.
  15. Web site: A song of fire and ice for Dean as he reclaims his Dons throne.
  16. Web site: Awards Night 2024 . . 1 May 2024 . 10 May 2024 .
  17. Web site: Max Dean Departs MK Dons . . 12 July 2024 . 12 July 2024 .
  18. Web site: Welkom, Max Dean! . . 12 July 2024 . 12 July 2024 .
  19. Web site: Max Dean: MK Dons striker joins Belgian Pro League club KAA Gent. 12 July 2024. BBC Sport.
  20. Web site: Vikingur vs Gent: UEFA Conference League . . 1 August 2024 . 1 August 2024 .