How is ex-Leeds United and MK Dons striker Max Dean getting on in Belgium? | OneFootball

FLW look at the career of Max Dean after leaving Leeds United and MK Dons in recent years to join Gent.

Leeds United may just be regretting their decision to let Max Dean leave for MK Dons, with the striker now having joined Gent, where he is kicking on in the Belgian top-flight.

A highly energetic forward, Dean emerged from Leeds' youth system, showcasing his potential with the club's U-21 and U-23 teams. But with MK Dons, he truly started to achieve his potential when the 20-year-old netted 15 times in 29 league appearances for the League Two side in the previous campaign.

He proved himself as one of the hottest strikers in the EFL. But it all started at Leeds prior to that after signing his first professional contract with the club in March 2021.

Having formerly spent time on the books at Everton before joining Leeds' academy, Dean was a prolific goalscorer for the Whites at age-group level but failed to make a senior appearance before joining MK Dons on a permanent deal in January 2023.

Dean had a glowing reputation as he came up through the ranks at Elland Road, having scored 13 goals in 32 games for the United youth team over the course of his teenage years. However, it was unclear what sort of level he would reached when they sold him.

Max Dean has earned himself a move to Belgium after Leeds United exit

The striker went on to make nine appearances in the second half of 2022/23 after leaving Leeds during Jesse Marsch's stint in charge, which culminated in Dons' relegation from League One, but saw Dean open his account in professional football by scoring in a 2-0 away victory at Bristol Rovers.

It was a move which saw him link up with his former Leeds under-23's coach Mark Jackson at MK Dons. He took some time to find his feet in his new surroundings, but Dean thrived once Jackson was replaced with Mike Williamson.

The former Gateshead man’s game plan brought the best out of the man through the middle.

Known for his speed, directness, and relentless pressing, Dean consistently causes problems for opposition defences by making intelligent runs in behind. His work ethic and ability to stretch defences make him a constant outlet for teammates, while his pressing from the front is as good as anyone, helping to set the tone for high-energy, attacking football.

Dean’s reputation in the EFL was starting to grow, as he continued to scamper away from League Two defenders and help his side with their impending play-off push last season, where their decision to prise him away from Thorp Arch was truly vindicated last term.

Dean is a fast and high-intensity player, capable of pressing the opposition into the ground and running the channels all game. Adding goals at senior level by notching 19 and making a further five assists in all competitions showcased his rapid development.

However, then his future at Stadium MK was called into doubt following their 8-1 crushing at the hands of Crawley Town across two legs in the League Two play-off semi-finals.

During his time at MK Dons in League Two, Dean quickly established himself as a dangerous and relentless forward. His movement off the ball and ability to exploit spaces behind defenders resulted in a number of crucial goals, and he brought energy to their attacking play. With the club reaching the play-offs, Dean finished the season as top scorer and was also named as Young Player of the Year.

Williamson's team was set up in such a way that it was tailored to putting the ball on a plate for Dean, but not many expected a 19-year-old to become so vital so quickly.

For Leeds' U-21s, despite the goals, Dean had first built a strong reputation thanks to his all-action style, making him one of their most exciting prospects due to his running power, stamina, and his ability to take up dangerous positions as a poacher inside the penalty box.

His development as a scorer has since seen him join Gent for a fee in the region of £1.7 million after interest was registered from Toulouse in Ligue 1.

As per the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds had inserted a 50% sell-on clause with MK and stand to gain roughly £850,000 from Dean's switch to Belgium but that's seemingly done little to alleviate frustration from supporters due to recent exploits.

Max Dean has flourished even further since moving to Gent

Dean’s hard work, coupled with his natural speed, make him a valuable and somewhat unique asset, and his performances were crucial in keeping the Dons competitive. His standout displays earned him the transfer to the Belgian giants, where he’s looking to further develop.

Despite being smaller in stature, Dean doesn’t shy away from physical battles and is willing to engage defenders, showing a fearless mentality that has defined his young career so far, and that has certainly been true already with five yellow cards to his name during his early season games with Gent.

He joined in July 2024 on a four-year contract, and would go on to make his competitive debut for the club not long after on 1 August 2024 in a 3-0 second leg UEFA Conference League second qualifying round away win over Vikingur. He excelled straight away in a game in which he provided an assist and scored from the penalty spot.

Dean was used sparingly by coach Wouter Vrancken in the early weeks of the 2024/25 Belgian Pro League campaign, but once given a starting place, he scored twice in the space of three games, including in a win over fellow giants Club Brugge.

On the 3rd October, Dean came on in the 64th minute against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He notched an assist during a 4-2 defeat. More recently, he netted a penalty as Gent could only draw 2-2 with K.V.C. Westerlo, it was a tenth goal in 23 games, despite only starting nine of those.

Dean has also laid on two assists for new side in the process as well, perhaps showing Leeds were too quick to sell him and leaving the Dons with some regret over what he could have become long-term.

If Dean had been afforded chances and simply didn't take them, then there would undoubtedly be a different and less-regretful school of thought, but Leeds' unwillingness to place any faith in the ability and promise that has since bore fruit away from the club will rightly leave fans stinging for some time.

They may be regretting letting the forward go too soon, with Dean already showing signs of developing with a promising career ahead. But for now, it seems Dean is happy and settled in Belgium and is continuing to grow his reputation, which could and perhaps should see him return to English football one day.

Even though Leeds profited from the sell-on, the decision to offload Dean at the earliest opportunity looks short-sighted to say the least from their perspective, with the then-teenager not even given the benefit of a loan spell away from the club to prove himself before being moved on.

The feeling is that he could become a big asset in the years to come, which would make him a sensible target for a number of teams, given the constant demand for goalscorers who can also do plenty of work out of possession these days.