Sierra Leone left-back Alex Bangura joins Boro on a four year contract
Sierra Leone international, Alex Bangura completed his move to Middlesbrough from SC Cambuur on transfer deadline day.
The left-back was the club’s 12th signing of the summer transfer window after Boro agreed a deal with Dutch second-tier side SC Cambuur. Bangura, 24, signs a four-year deal at the Riverside.
Bangura arrives from the Dutch side having made clear earlier in the window that the time was right to leave Cambuur this summer following their relegation from the Eredivisie.
He has been one of their standout players of the last two seasons and turned down a move to Feyenoord last summer in order to continue his development with Cambuur.
But having dreamed of one day playing in England, the attack-minded full-back got his wish late in the window as Boro followed up their interest from earlier in the summer to make him their latest recruit of a busy summer.
Reacting to the signing, Carrick said: “He’s a really exciting signing. He’s a left-back and he’s captained his team. He’s a good character with a great personality and he won’t have any problem fitting into the group.”
Bangura had been linked earlier in the window as Boro learned they would not be able to re-sign loan star Ryan Giles having been outbid by Premier League outfit Luton Town. Having explored a Bangura deal at that stage, Boro instead decided to move on Lukas Engel who joined Boro from Silkeborg.
It seemed at that stage that Engel would compete with Hayden Coulson for the left-back spot this season and therefore Boro’s interest in Bangura was over.
However, having re-evaluated their options later in the window, and with talk of Bangura attracting interest from Stoke City as well as sides in Italy and Belgium, Boro decided to make their move, with Coulson struggling to impress since returning from his loan at Aberdeen.
Announcing his departure from SC Cambuur, Bangura penned a touching farewell message to the fans who have showered him with endless support during his spell with the club.
“After five unforgettable seasons, it is now time to say goodbye and for me to take the next step in my career”.
“First of all, I would like to thank you very much for the support that I have always felt and heard in the stadium and beyond”.
“The growth I have experienced – both as a person and as a player – would not have been possible without you and the opportunities I have been given here at this fantastic people’s club. I will always be grateful to the club for that”.
“It was an honor to wear the yellow-blue and I hope to see you all again soon in the Eredivisie Come on Cambuur!” the left-back noted.
Bangura is now expected to compete with Engel for the left-back spot in Carrick’s Boro side, with the duo offering slightly different attributes.
While both were wingers who were converted into attacking full-backs, Bangura is a more direct and pacey kind of player in comparison to Engel.
