Richard Keogh finds new club

Former Derby County and Republic of Ireland defender Richard Keogh has joined Milton Keynes Dons.

The 33-year-old has not played since September 2019 after he sustained a serious knee injury in a car crash with two of his Derby teammates – Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett, who both pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Following the incident, Keogh was sacked by the Championship club for ‘gross misconduct’, while Lawrence and Bennett were ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, given a 12-month community order and banned from driving for two years.

MK Dons have not disclosed the length of the defender’s contract.

“I can’t wait to get on the shirt and I’m looking forward now,” Keogh told the club website. “I’ve missed a lot of football and you’re getting someone who is going to be excited and hungry to play and push this team forward.”

Manager Russell Martin added: “Once I knew he was available, I was desperate to bring him in. I know how much he’ll bring on and off the pitch.

“He probably turned down more lucrative offers to play here and, for me, it’s a massive signing and it’s a statement from him to say he wants to be part of it. He’s been my number one target in that position for a long time – so I’m delighted to have it over the line.”

Keogh has made over 600 appearances in his career and enjoyed eight years at Derby, featuring 356 times and scoring 12 goals.

Before his time at the Rams, he began his career at Stoke City and had a loan spell with Icelandic side Vikingur. He joined Bristol City in 2005 and during his three years at the Robins, he enjoyed loan spells with Wycombe Wanderers, Huddersfield Town, Carlisle United and Cheltenham Town. He had permanent spells at Carlisle and Coventry City before he made his move to Pride Park in 2012.