Neal Ardley completed his second signing of the summer today and has promised to let new boy Andy Barcham run riot in League Two.

The 28-year-old has signed up with the Dons after being released from Portsmouth and follows Jon Meades in committing to the Kingsmeadow club for next season.

Barcham is capable of playing on either flank or through the middle and Wimbledon boss Ardley is planning to exploit that versatility by giving the player freedom to express himself on the pitch.

“Andy can play on either wing or up front. He is exceptionally quick and is very good at taking players on. He will be given that licence by me.

“I am delighted because I have been chipping away at this one for a while. The first thing I am going to do is put my arm around his shoulder and make him feel good about himself again.

“I want to get him back to the sparkling form he was in at Scunthorpe.

On the blower: AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley

“Andy played for Portsmouth in the 4-0 game here two seasons ago, but he was probably their shining light. He gave Barry Fuller a tough time and Barry knows him well from Gillingham days.

“Barry has always spoken highly of him and says he is one of the best wingers he has played with.

“When you have liked a player for a couple of years you do not go in thinking ‘I hope it works out’. Instead you go in thinking ‘this will work out’.

“He will certainly fit into several dynamics of ways that we want to play.”

Ardley still has four players left on his summer shopping list at AFC Wimbledon with a pair of strikers and a couple of experienced central defenders being hunted.

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