Wycombe Wanderers have completed the signing of winger James Tilley from AFC Wimbledon, marking their first addition of the summer transfer window.
Tilley, 26, was a key figure in Wimbledon’s promotion campaign last season, playing 53 times and helping the South West London club return to League One via the play-offs. He featured for the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 Wembley win over Walsall that secured their step up to the third tier after three years in League Two.
Despite being offered a new contract at Plough Lane, Tilley opted to join Mike Dodds’ Wycombe side at Adams Park, with the move confirmed late on Thursday night. It ends a long-running pursuit by the Chairboys, who first showed interest in the player back in 2019 while he was on the books at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Speaking after the deal was confirmed, Dodds told club media:
“We’re really pleased to welcome James to the club and we’re looking forward to working with him. He’s a talented player who had a great upbringing in Brighton’s academy and has developed his game year on year in senior football.
“He’s someone who offers us another threat in attack on either side of the pitch and comes to us off the back of a hugely successful season, both collectively with his club and also for him personally.”
Tilley began his career at Brighton, making three senior appearances and spending time on loan with Cork City and Yeovil Town before leaving permanently for Grimsby Town in 2020. A year at Blundell Park was followed by a productive spell at Crawley Town, which earned him a move to AFC Wimbledon in 2023.
During his two seasons at Plough Lane, Tilley played 101 times, scoring 17 goals and emerging as a fan favourite. Following confirmation of his departure, Wimbledon issued a short statement thanking him for his efforts and wishing him well for the future.
The move sees Wycombe strengthen their wide attacking options with a player who has proven both his durability and impact across the last two campaigns. With Dodds looking to build on a mid-table finish in 2024/25, the addition of Tilley adds both quality and experience to his squad.
Writer’s View
This is a strong and quietly ambitious move from Wycombe Wanderers. James Tilley was instrumental in AFC Wimbledon’s promotion and arrives with experience, confidence, and versatility. The fact that Wycombe have tracked him for several years underlines their belief in his ability to influence games.
If Tilley can carry his momentum from last season into his new surroundings, he could prove a key player in any push for the play-offs. For Wimbledon, it’s a significant loss, though the club will take solace in the fact they return to League One having played a big part in Tilley’s development.
