Bryant Bilongo
Bryant Akono Bilongo is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Rochdale.
Club career
Released by AFC Wimbledon at a young age, Bilongo went on to join Hanworth Villa youth side before eventually making the step up into the first-team during the 2020–21 campaign, in which he featured ten times.Following his breakthrough season, Bilongo joined Isthmian League Premier Division side, Kingstonian in June 2021. Impressing early on, his form attracted the attention of both Football League and Premier League sides, including Chelsea who subsequently trialled the full-back in October 2021. Despite this, Bilongo agreed to join Middlesbrough three months later for an undisclosed fee. On 10 August 2022, he made his first-team debut for Middlesbrough, replacing Paddy McNair during an EFL Cup first round tie defeat against Barnsley, with half an hour remaining. On 29 October 2022, he joined National League side, Woking on a one-month loan. Bilongo went onto feature twice for the Cards before returning to Middlesbrough in November.
On 1 February 2024, Bilongo joined National League club Ebbsfleet United on loan until the end of the season.
Bristol Rovers
On 28 June 2024, Bilongo signed for League One side Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year deal with the option for a further year. He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the season, scoring a 92nd minute winner as Rovers defeated Northampton Town to claim a first opening day victory in thirteen years. Following the match, he described it as the highlight of his career to date.On 15 January 2025, Bilongo joined League Two club Harrogate Town on loan for the remainder of the season.