Sheffield United striker Antwoine Hackford has left the club to join newly-promoted League One side AFC Wimbledon.
After progressing through the Sheffield United academy, Hackford became the club’s youngest-ever player when he made his debut as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in the Premier League back in January 2021 at the age of 16 years and 288 days.
However, Hackford only went on to make two further first-team appearances for the Blades after that breakthrough moment, and with his game time at Bramall Lane limited, he has had loan spells at Alfreton Town, Burton Albion and Port Vale in recent years.
Hackford spent the entirety of last season on loan at Vale Park, and while he was not always a regular starter for the Valiants, he did score some important goals for Darren Moore’s men as they won automatic promotion from League Two, including a last-gasp equaliser at Accrington Stanley and a crucial winner at MK Dons.
Antwoine Hackford’s stats for Port Vale last season (as per Transfermarkt)
Appearances
29
Starts
13
Goals
4
Assists
1
Having signed a new deal last January, Hackford was under contract with United until the summer of 2026, but he has now been allowed to depart for Wimbledon on a permanent basis, and the Dons have not had to pay a transfer fee to secure his services.
Antwoine Hackford makes Sheffield United exit as AFC Wimbledon move confirmed
Wimbledon are preparing for life back in League One after winning promotion from League Two last season following a 1-0 win over Walsall in the play-off final at Wembley in May.
Despite achieving promotion, the Dons have had to contend with the loss of two key players this summer in James Tilley and Josh Neufville, but Hackford is their seventh signing of what has been a busy transfer window following the arrivals of Nathan Bishop, Joe McDonnell, Nathan Asiimwe, Steve Seddon, Delano McCoy-Splatt and Alastair Smith.
Hackford has signed a two-year contract at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, with Wimbledon holding an option to extend for a further year, and the 21-year-old expressed his excitement about his new challenge after his move to the club was confirmed.
“I’ve been at Sheffield United for 10 years, so now is the right time to change and I’m excited to get going here,” Hackford told the club’s official website.
“The Club has been interested in me for a while now, so when the offer came about I looked into the history and it really impressed me. I’m quick, I can pose a real threat and I’ll score goals.”
Dons manager Johnnie Jackson also revealed his delight at landing his latest new addition, stating: “Antwoine possesses huge potential – he’s got pace, power, the directness to run at people and play off the shoulder. He had an excellent season with Port Vale and played a big part in helping them into League One.”
Wimbledon get their season underway when they make the trip to face promotion favourites Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Friday night, and the game could see Hackford make his debut for his new club.
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Antoine Hackford’s Sheffield United exit makes sense for all parties
After replacing Chris Wilder with Ruben Selles this summer as they continue to implement their data-driven recruitment model, it seems Sheffield United are heading in a new direction, and young players are more likely to be given opportunities at Bramall Lane under the Spaniard.
However, with Tyrese Campbell, Tom Cannon, Kieffer Moore and Ryan One all ahead of him in the pecking order, it is highly unlikely that Hackford would have featured much for the Blades next season, particularly if Selles only deploys one striker.
With that in mind, it makes sense for Hackford to seek a new adventure elsewhere, and while it could be a challenging season for Wimbledon in their first year back in League One, he will receive much more game time with the London outfit.