Max Dean

Milton Keynes Dons On 20 January 2023, Dean signed for League One club Milton Keynes Dons on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee, reuniting with his former Leeds United U23 coach Mark Jackson. He made his senior professional debut for the club a day later as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 away win against Forest Green Rovers. On 4 February 2023, Dean scored his first senior professional goal in a 2–0 away win over Bristol Rovers.

Following an impressive start to the 2023–24 season, Dean was awarded the EFL Young Player of the Month award for October 2023 having scored four goals in five appearances.

Dean suffered an injury in February 2024. After returning to the first-team, he scored two goals and made two further assists in a 5–0 victory against Walsall on 30 March 2024. With the club reaching the play-offs, Dean finished the season as top scorer with 19 goals in all competitions, and was named Milton Keynes Dons' Young Player of the Year.

Gent On 12 July 2024, Dean joined Belgian Pro League club Gent on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He made his competitive debut for the club on 1 August 2024 in a 3–0 second leg UEFA Conference League second qualifying round away win over Vikingur, a game in which he provided an assist and scored from the penalty spot.

Dean scored in his next two games for Gent, in both legs of the third qualifying round tie against Silkeborg IF.

Dean was used sparingly by coach Wouter Vrancken in the early weeks of the 2024–25 Belgian Pro League season, but once given a starting place, he scored twice in three matches, including wins over Club Brugge, and Oud-Heverlee Leuven.

International career In October 2024, Dean was called up to an England age group squad for the first time, being selected for the England U20. He scored on his debut, coming off the bench during a 2–1 win over Italy, going on to score twice in a 3-0 home win over the Czech Republic later in the week in his second game for his country.

Career statistics

Honours Individual EFL Young Player of the Month: October 2023 Milton Keynes Dons Young Player of the Year: 2023–24