Former Arsenal left-back Marc Bola has made the step up from League One to the Championship, joining Middlesbrough.
21-year-old Bola left Arsenal for League One Blackpool last summer, making 43 senior appearances in his first season for the club.
Blackpool were clearly impressed with the defender, offering him a new contract and turning down several transfer offers. After winning their player of the year award, that’s not exactly surprising.
After Bola rejected the contract offers, Blackpool eventually gave in and sold Bola to Middlesbrough on Sunday. Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate told their club website:
“There were other clubs interested, but he wanted to come here, and that’s the important thing.”
Bola posted on Twitter to reveal his excitement as the ‘new chapter’ in his career:
I am excited about this new chapter in my career and look forward to developing and repaying the faith shown in my by everyone associated with Boro!
I’m hungrier than ever & can’t wait to get started! #UpTheBoro #UTB pic.twitter.com/NNrXzpNbXZ
— Marc Bola (@MarcBola27) July 28, 2019
It’s great to see a young ex-Arsenal academy player progressing through the leagues after initially having to drop down to get games. Bola always did well with the youth teams and on loan, so it’s not a surprise to see new clubs taking note of that.
Middlesbrough only narrowly finished outside of the play-off places last season – one point behind Derby County – so there’s a good chance Bola might make his way up to the Premier League before long. Good luck to him with his new team!