Bristol Rovers is delighted to confirm the signing of defender Bryant Bilongo, subject to EFL and FA ratification.
The left-back moves to The Memorial Stadium for an undisclosed fee from Sky Bet Championship side Middlesbrough and has put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal with Rovers, with an option for a further year.
A pacey full-back, Bilongo first caught the eye with a host of blistering performances in the Isthmian League Premier Division and now brings his talents to the Pirates ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The 22-year-old is the Club's fifth signing of the summer and follows Isaac Hutchinson, Clinton Mola, Ruel Sotiriou and Dan Ellison in joining the Gas.
“It means a lot to sign for Bristol Rovers,” Bilongo said. “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.
“It’s been amazing to come here and see the facilities, and get an idea of where I’m going to be working going forward. This is my new home and I’m excited to be here.
“I intend to enjoy being a Rovers player to the fullest. I love it all. I love seeing and meeting fans, and everything about football. I am still, at my core, a massive football fan. This is a sport and it’s also entertainment, and I like being able to make the fans smile. I hope I can do that and give them plenty to smile and sing about.”
Manager Matt Taylor welcomed Bilongo to Bristol Rovers and is looking forward to seeing the defender continue his development in the blue-and-white quarters.
“I am happy to welcome Bryant to Bristol Rovers. Bryant is a young defender who has shown his ability on loan in the National League in the last few months, and I am looking forward to working with him in the coming season.
“At 22, Bryant is still developing and I believe his best years could be here with us at Bristol Rovers.”
After enjoying his youth career at AFC Wimbledon, Bilongo made the move to non-league side Hanworth Villa and broke into the first team in the 2020/21 campaign, featuring ten times.
Having shone in his breakthrough season, Bilongo joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Kingstonian in June 2021 and continued an impressive run of form that saw a host of Premier League clubs take a serious interest in signing the defender.
Bilongo would join Middlesbrough in January 2022 for an undisclosed fee and made is first-team debut in August 2022, featuring in a Carabao Cup clash against Barnsley.
A regular feature in Boro's U21s’ side, Bilongo was also part of the team's matchday squad for both Carabao Cup semi-final legs against Chelsea in January.
A one-month loan spell with National League team Woking was followed by a loan with Ebbsfleet United for the second-half of the 2023/24 campaign. He scored on his debut, in a 3-0 win over Eastleigh, and would end the season with 12 appearances for Ebbsfleet.
Everyone at Bristol Rovers would like to welcome Bryant to the Club and wish him every success for his career in the blue-and-white quarters.
