This week, Bryant Bilongo permanently left Middlesbrough to sign with Bristol Rovers.
Bryant Bilongo, an academy product who permanently departed Middlesbrough this summer, acknowledges that George Friend was a major influence in his decision to sign with Bristol Rovers.
Bilongo signed a two-year contract with the option of a third season at Memorial Stadium on Friday, joining Rovers for an unknown sum. It came after the versatile full-back had a productive loan stint at National League team Ebbsfleet the previous season, and he had expressed frustration at not having more opportunities at the Riverside.
The 22-year-old defender’s demand to leave Boro and attempt to make a name for himself in League One in order to advance his career was granted since he was deemed to be too distant from the first squad. In terms of completing the transfer, there was also a clear connection there since Friend, a former favourite of the Boro, is currently director of football at Bristol Rovers.
But Friend’s role in the purchase went beyond simply exploiting his connections to close a deal. Speaking with Friend, Bilongo acknowledged in his first interview as a Gas player, helped sell the team and the transfer to him.
He told the club website: “It means a lot to sign for Bristol Rovers. My career has been such a journey so far and to continue it by signing for such a big club like Rovers is amazing for me and my family. It’s a big achievement and this is a challenge I’m looking forward to.
“Seeing the facilities here and getting a sense of where I’ll be working moving forward has been incredible. I’m happy to be here as this is my new home. The manager and George have had some excellent chats.
They demand a lot from me, and I want to live up to their expectations. I want to show that this was the best course of action for all parties involved since I have high expectations for myself as well. I want to repay their faith in me and let them know that they made the right choice in signing me.
Bilongo signed for Boro from non-league side Kingstonian in the summer of 2022. He’d previously been on trial at Chelsea, with Boro securing his services when the Blues opted against offering him a deal. He was another Martin Carter find, with the Boro academy scout having great success in recent years of finding talent in the non-league scene of the capital.Of how his alternative route into the professional game, Bilongo continued: “My journey in football has been tough. It’s been different too. I’ve come from non-league and I’ve played there most of my life. I came into the professional league quite late compared to others. It was a different journey and everyone has a different pathway, and I wouldn’t change mine.
Leave a Reply