Former Newcastle United midfielder joins League One newcomers after Middlesbrough exit

Former Newcastle United midfielder Dan Barlaser has agreed to join League One club MK Dons just weeks after his departure from Middlesbrough was confirmed.

The former England youth international came through the ranks at Newcastle United and made five senior appearances for the Magpies before joining Rotherham United on a permanent deal in October 2020 after enjoying a productive loan stint with the Millers. After scoring 17 goals and providing 25 assists in 152 appearances for Rotherham and helping his side lift the EFL Trophy and secure promotion into the Championship, Barlaser became the subject of interest from several clubs - and it was Boro that won the race for his services in January 2023.

The midfielder scored a solitary goal in 79 appearances for Boro and spent almost the entirety of last season with Scottish club Hibernian before he was named on a list of players released by Middlesbrough last month. The 27-year-old has now agreed to join MK Dons in a move that has reunited him with his former Rotherham manager Paul Warne - and the latter is relishing the opportunity to work with Barlaser once again as his side prepare for life in League One after securing promotion last season.

He told the club website: “He's a player that I’ve worked with before and had promotions with. He’s also a really good kid, really motivated and brilliant in the dressing room. He’s a very good footballer, great on set pieces, has a brilliant range of passing and he's always looking to play forward, so he’s a good addition to our midfield options already.

“We've got a really strong midfield, I know Dan has played with Ben Wiles before as well, so he'll know people in the dressing room already, so it should be an easy fit. He’s obviously worked with me and Richie Barker before too, so it was an easy sell from both sides, I’m really pleased with him.”

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