‘Lightning pace’ – New Dons signing Bugiel assesses former Luton Town and Sutton forward

Omar Bugiel believes that fellow new signing Josh Neufville will bring “lightning pace” to the AFC Wimbledon squad this upcoming season.

Neufville, 22, joined the Dons on the same day as Bugiel, with the duo playing together last season at League Two rivals Sutton United.

Ex-Yeovil and Solihull Moors loanee Neufville was released by Luton Town after they won promotion to the Premier League.

Neufville signed a two-year deal at Plough Lane and already has 100 career appearances under his belt.

“Lightning pace – the boy is quick,” Bugiel, who played 27 times in all competitions last season alongside Neufville, told the South London Press when asked what the versatile forward will bring to the side.

“He’s been about himself with non-league – he has different experiences.

“He’s on the right path and a good kid. He’s willing to learn, and that’s what we need next year.”

The 29-year-old Bugiel was convinced to join the Dons after leaving Sutton on a free transfer at the end of last season.

“There was communication early doors,” Bugiel explained of how the move to Johnnie Jackson’s side came to fruition.

“They really wanted me on board. I like the project they have going on and the players they have already.

“What they [Johnnie Jackson and Craig Cope] mentioned was that they saw me play twice against them, and they said: ‘You literally battered us and we want someone like that on our team going forward for next season.’

“I went away to think about it and it felt like the right thing to do for next season.

“AFC Wimbledon wasn’t the only club I was speaking to – the was interest from elsewhere – but I just felt as though this was the right step for me going forward.”

See Friday’s South London Press for an exclusive interview with Bugiel about his summer switch to AFC Wimbledon.