Former Portsmouth and Derby County winger has contract ripped up after assault charge
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing registered eight appearances for Pompey in 2012.
Former Pompey winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has had his MK Dons contract ripped up just weeks into the new campaign.
The 34-year-old, who played eight times for Pompey in 2012, has departed Stadium MK by mutual consent just a year after his 2025 arrival.
News of the winger’s exit comes a month after he appeared in court after he was accused of attacking a woman earlier this year.
The incident, which allegedly took place in Staffordshire in June, was arrested and later charged with assault by beating.
Mendez-Laing denied the charge in Cannock Magistrates’ Court on September 11 and was granted conditional bail by District Judge Joseph O'Connor. He will now stand trial in the same court on 7 January, 2027.
Former Pompey man has EFL contract ripped up
The forward has been sidelined for large parts of the new campaign after undergoing surgery on an unspecified injury in August.
The former Pompey loanee made the move to MK Dons following his Derby County exit in May 2025 and played a key role in the Dons’ League Two promotion last term.
Mendez-Laing featured 29 times for Paul Warne’s side, scoring 10 goals and collecting six assists in all competitions, but only registered just two outings this season.
A statement released by MK Dons read: ‘Milton Keynes Dons FC confirms the termination of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s playing contract by mutual consent.
‘Mendez-Laing played 29 times for the Dons after his arrival in May 2025.
‘We thank Nathaniel for his efforts during his time at Stadium MK and wish him all the best for the future.’
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s Pompey career
After rising through the ranks with Wolves, Mendez-Laing made the move to Peterborough on a permanent basis in the summer of 2012.
But just four months after his switch to Weston Holmes Stadium, the Guatemala international was placed on the transfer list by Posh after breaching club discipline.
He subsequently joined League One Pompey in November 2012 on a one-month loan deal before his contract was extended until January 2013.
Mendez-Laing failed to score or assist in any of his eight outings, which included starts in six of his League One appearances at Fratton Park.
The winger later returned to Peterborough, where he went on to score three goals and collect three assists for Posh during the second half of the season.
He went on to enjoy a successful spell with Rochdale before joining Cardiff City, where he helped the Bluebirds achieve Premier League football.
The ex-Pompey man had brief stints with Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday before a three-year stay at Derby County, which saw him amass 54 goal contributions in 145 outings.