Kingstonian FC

Kingstonian Football Club is delighted to announce the transfer of Bryant Akono Bilongo to EFL Championship club Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee.

Kingstonian director Yioryos Vasilaras said: "I am very pleased for Bryant and his family. Bryant is so deserving of this opportunity. As well as being a very talented footballer, he is a polite and humble young man who has clearly demonstrated his first class attitude and ability since joining the club in the summer. It has been an honour for Kingstonian to provide him with the playing platform that has enabled him to become a professional footballer."

"We must also recognise the extremely important role that our Under 18s manager Nigel James has played in his development. Nigel has coached and mentored Bryant since the age of eleven and recommended him to Hayden, who in turn has given him the opportunity to perform consistently well for the first team this season."

Kingstonian manager Hayden Bird added: "Everyone at the club is delighted for Bryant. There is no doubting that he is a young player with the potential to enjoy a very successful football career. Bryant has been exceptional this season and thoroughly deserves this wonderful opportunity."

Yioryos concluded: "We would also like to thank Middlesbrough Football Club, and in their particular their Academy Manager Craig Liddle, Chief Executive Neil Bausor and Secretary Karen Nelson, who have been a pleasure to work with since their initial contact. On behalf of my fellow directors, I would like to wish both Bryant and Middlesbrough every success moving forward and we look forward to monitoring Bryant's future career with interest."