Burton Albion have secured the season-long loan signing of midfielder Will Collar from League One rivals MK Dons, the club confirmed on 14 August 2026. The 29-year-old becomes the fifth addition of the summer at the Pirelli Stadium, where head coach Gary Bowyer has been notably vocal in his calls for further recruitment.

Bowyer gets his "more bodies"

Bowyer had publicly urged the Burton board to provide transfer "help" and "more bodies" ahead of the new campaign, and the arrival of Collar represents a direct response to those concerns, even if the head coach is understood to want further reinforcements before the window closes.

Speaking to the club website, Bowyer offered a straightforward assessment of what the player brings: "He's a good character and his CV shows that he knows how to win." That pedigree is difficult to argue with. Collar has accumulated promotion experience at two clubs, having gone up twice with Stockport County during his time with the Hatters before adding a third promotion to his record more recently.

What Collar brings from MK Dons

According to the BBC, Collar made 26 appearances across all competitions for MK Dons last season, contributing to a campaign that ended in promotion out of the third tier. He came through the youth ranks at Brighton before carving out a career in the lower divisions, and at 29 he arrives at Burton as an experienced operator rather than a development loan.

The structural details of the arrangement are a season-long loan with no further terms publicly confirmed at this stage. As a loan from a League One club to another, there is no indication of a purchase option in the reporting, though the BBC's account does not address that point explicitly.

Importantly for Burton, Collar's familiarity with the demands of the third tier means there should be little adjustment period. His understanding of what it takes to win at this level is precisely the kind of quality Bowyer has been seeking as the Brewers look to build a competitive squad.

Context at both clubs

For MK Dons, the deal allows Collar to stay active in League One rather than competing for minutes in a different environment. The Dons' squad situation has not been detailed in the source, but sanctioning a season-long arrangement suggests the club is comfortable with his departure for the duration of the campaign.

At Burton, the summer has been a measured one in the transfer market. Five signings across the window so far reflects a cautious approach, and Bowyer's public comments about needing reinforcements suggest the squad depth is still not where the head coach would like it to be. Whether further business follows before the window shuts remains to be seen.

Collar's arrival does, however, give Burton an extra option in central midfield with proven winning habits at this level, which is precisely the profile Bowyer described when the club confirmed the deal.

Frequently asked

Who is Will Collar and where has he played before?
Will Collar is a 29-year-old midfielder who came through the youth academy at Brighton. He has played for Stockport County, where he won two promotions, and most recently for MK Dons, where he made 26 appearances last season and earned another promotion out of League One.
How long is Will Collar's loan at Burton Albion?
According to BBC Sport, Collar has joined Burton Albion on a season-long loan from MK Dons. No purchase option has been reported.
How many signings have Burton Albion made this summer?
Collar is Burton's fifth summer signing. Head coach Gary Bowyer has publicly called for more transfer activity, suggesting the club are keen to add further players before the window closes.