George Friend’s role in Bryant Bilongo’s transfer from Middlesbrough to Bristol Rovers

Bryant Bilongo admits George Friend played a key role in his decision to join Bristol Rovers this summer as the academy prospect left Middlesbrough permanently.

Bilongo joined Rovers for an undisclosed fee on Friday, signing a two-year deal with the option of a further season at the Memorial Stadium. It followed a successful loan spell at National League side Ebbsfleet last term, after which the versatile defender admitted he was frustrated by the lack of opportunities at the Riverside.

Now 22 and not considered close enough to Boro’s first-team image, the decision was made at Boro to grant the London-born defender his wish to leave the club and try to establish himself in League One to- and continue his career. And with Boro’s favorite friend, now director of football at Bristol Rovers, there was an obvious connection there in terms of getting the deal done.

READ MORE: Bryant Bilongo seals permanent Middlesbrough exit as club favorite uses connections

However, it wasn’t just by using his connections to get a deal that Friend was instrumental in the deal. In his first interview as a Gas player, Bilongo admitted that speaking to Friend helped sell the club and move him.

He told the club’s 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 is a great achievement and this is a challenge I am looking forward to.

“It was amazing to come here and see the facilities and get an idea of ​​where I will be working in the future. This is my new home and I’m excited to be here. The discussions with the manager and George were very good.

“They have high expectations of me and I want to deliver them. I, too, have high expectations of myself and want to prove that this was the right move for everyone involved. I want to show them that they did a good thing. the decision to sign me and pay off that faith in me.

“I really got a sense of what Bristol Rovers is about from them. This is a club with high aspirations and I really felt that. It’s one of the main reasons I pushed to come here. They both told me that the club is aiming high and wants to achieve things. Everyone is pushing in that direction, which is good to see and hear. The boss wants me to go out there and enjoy my football and give everything for the team. That’s exactly what I intend to do. I will run, jump and fight for the team.”

Bilongo signed for Boro from non-league Kingstonian in the summer of 2022. Previously on trial at Chelsea, Boro secured his services when the Blues opted not to offer him a deal. He was another discovery of Martin Carter, with the Boro academy scout having great success in recent years finding talent in the capital’s non-league scene.

On his alternative path into the professional game, Bilongo continued: “My journey in football has been tough. It was also different. I came from non-league and played there most of my life. I came to the professional league quite late compared to others. It’s been a different journey and everyone has a different path and I wouldn’t change mine.

“When I was younger, my name was a bit of a swagger and as a kid, this is an interesting place. You can go from one level in one day to suddenly having everyone following you, checking out what you’re about. Moving to Middlesbrough was a big leap for me, but I loved it. It was an interesting part of my career.

“I had a loan spell last season with Ebbsfleet which I think helped me a lot. I think it gave me the experience I needed in men’s soccer. I felt I had to prove to everyone that I could do it and I think I managed to do that. The point, for me now, is to develop and become a man here. I want to assert myself in the EFL and show what I can do.”