Alex Bangura made his long-awaited return to the starting lineup as Middlesbrough FC defeated Derby 2-1 on Saturday. The Sierra Leone International made his first appearance since December 2023.
After the match, the Sierra Leone International struggled to find the words to express his emotions following his comeback.
In a surprising move, Bangura was given a starting position in Kim Hellberg’s inaugural game as Boro manager. He showcased his talent during the 2-1 victory over Derby, earning the man of the match award from the supporters for his impressive performance.
This match marked Bangura’s first competitive start since the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea, which took place 22 months ago, making his contribution even more remarkable.
Since joining Boro from Cambuur in the summer of 2023, Bangura has endured a challenging period. His first season was plagued by injuries, resulting in just 19 appearances, and he was forced to sit out the entirety of last season after suffering an Achilles injury early in pre-season.
