Neal Ardley hails key defensive acquisition

We are delighted to confirm that AFC Wimbledon have completed the signing of vastly experienced defender Paul Robinson.

The centre-back, who made an instant impression with a goal after just 82 seconds on Saturday, has signed on the dotted line and he will wear the number six shirt for the Dons.

Having played alongside him at Millwall, manager Neal Ardley said he holds Robinson in the “highest regard” as a player and a person.

“Paul is a player who I desperately tried to sign last January,” Neal said. “I am absolutely delighted to have got him now. He is a leader and has been a captain everywhere he has been. Having played with Paul, I know how good a player he is and we are getting one of the best centre backs in the league.

“He fits the profile that we have been looking for. Paul is a great organiser and he is very aggressive and dominant in the air in both boxes. His decision-making skills are also very good and he knows when to go and deal with things and when to play safe.

“While I was at Cardiff I got asked about him when Dave Jones was manager. I said that Paul was one of the better players that I had played with, but he ended up staying with Millwall. Paul is a player who looks after his body. He said that he was a bit rusty after Saturday’s game, but that’s a good sign considering how well we thought that he played.”

With a pedigree that includes over 300 league appearances at Millwall, Robinson has played at a higher level than League 2 for most of his career.

Robinson signed for Portsmouth in 2014 after a successful loan spell. He featured in 33 league games for Pompey, scoring two goals. During his time at Millwall, Robinson also had loan spells with Fisher Athletic and Torquay United.