Wycombe Wanderers have confirmed the signing of Alife Mawson on a one-year deal.
The 28-year-old joins the Adams Park club following his release from Fulham this summer, after several months of rumours linking him back to his old stomping ground.
Wycombe fans...are you happy that Mawson has re-signed? #Chairboys
— James Richings (@James_BFP) August 11, 2022
Mawson previous spell with the Chairboys came in the 2014/15 season where he played 50 times for the club and scored seven goals, whilst on loan from Brentford.
Alfie Mawson will be signing for a new club today. I know the identity of the club but I’ve been asked not to reveal it yet. It is not Stoke. He was set to join the Potters but deal fell through. #scfc https://t.co/MmfH0QS4Pz
— Ian Baker (@ianbakersport) August 11, 2022
Each of those strikes came in his final 15 games of the season, as he helped Wycombe reach that year’s League Two play-off final, which they would lose to Southend United.
This was in his first full season as a Football League player, where he also received numerous accolades which included winning the club’s Player and Young Player of the Year awards.
READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth talks about the Wycombe Alfie Mawson links
Speaking on his move back to Adams Park, Mawson said: “I’m really happy to be back.
“It’s been in the pipeline for a little while.
“I’ve been in contact with the gaffer [Gareth Ainsworth] and Dobbo [Richard Dobson] for a little while, so when the opportunity came about to come in a train, I told the gaffer that I didn’t really want to leave.
OPINION: Alfie Mawson made his name with Wycombe in the 2014/15 season. Seven years later, he is set to re-join Wanderers after a frustrating period with Fulham. Could the move back to Adams Park revive what was a soaring career? #Chairboys 👇https://t.co/xdzTdIEid2
— James Richings (@James_BFP) June 28, 2022
“So it was a decision that I was happy to stick with.”
Since leaving Wanderers seven years ago, Mawson’s stock increased rapidly that within two years after playing League Two football, he was a regular in the Premier League and was called up to the England first team.
Moves to Barnsley, Swansea City and Fulham followed between 2015 and 2018, but the last four years at the West London side have somewhat stalled a soaring career.
READ MORE: Can Alfie Mawson revive his career if Wycombe sign him?
He played 52 games for the Cottages in that time, where he also had an underwhelming spell with Bristol City in the 2020/21 campaign.
Speaking on his recent injury woes, he added: “I wish my body felt the same from a few years ago, but I loved my time here.
Patience pays off.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) August 11, 2022
The photos you love to see.
Happy Thursday everyone!#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/hBSo1Nv6ai
It played a massive part in my career and it got me to where I thought I would never be a few years later, and I’m grateful to be back and I hope to repay the club with the trust that they have given me.”
Mawson’s arrival is the fifth new player Wanderers have signed this summer.
He continued: “The club has got much bigger and I’m happy to be part of this project.
READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth on Wycombe's transfer plans this summer
“I’m just looking forward to kicking on and working with the players such as Chris Forino.
“He has got loads of potential, Jack Wakeley too and I want to enjoy working with them and see the hunger they’ve got when I was their age.”
Manager Gareth Ainsworth concluded: “He always said that this was the place that he enjoyed his football the most.
Luton 1-3 Wycombe - lovely finish by Alfie Mawson, work for The Hatters to do, come on Luton pic.twitter.com/ZGcjMYr9Jx
— Ian Abrahams (Moose) (@BroadcastMoose) March 24, 2015
“He has had his fair share of knocks with injuries so we will manage him in the right way to get the best out of him.
READ MORE: Five free agents that Wycombe Wanderers should consider
“But to have Alfie Mawson in a Wycombe Wanderers squad is brilliant and we asked for patience with the signings, and I hope the fans will jump on this.
“We hope to get the best out of him.”
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