Former Reading midfielder Sam Hutchinson is targeting promotion with League Two AFC Wimbledon after signing a new contract.

The Sheffield Wednesday favourite spent two years with the Royals between 2022 and 2024 but failed to make an appearance after November 2023.

This came after a 3-2 defeat at Shrewsbury Town after which the 35-year-old caught headlines in his post-match interview.

Departing with 26 club appearances to his name, the former Chelsea youngster was without a club until December, when he signed a one-month deal with the Dons.

Impressing in his six appearances, Johnnie Jackson has now offered the midfielder a deal until the end of the season, which the Windsor native has accepted.

“The Club gave me a chance to get back into football, so I’ve never thought about anything else other than this,” Sam told the club. “The gaffer, the boys and the fans have been great with me, it’s all gone well. Getting promotion would be really big for me, having not played for 14 months. I’ve proved how fit I am and how much I want to play football, so the goal now is to get promoted.”

Jackson added: “We’re delighted to tie Sam down. In the month that he’s been with us he’s shown real quality on the pitch, particularly in his versatility at being able to play in different roles. He’s been outstanding around the group too with the experience he brings. He helps to bolster the squad and I believe he’ll continue to be an important player for us.”

The Dons sit fifth in League Two heading into the second half of the season, two points outside the automatic promotion positions.