Canterbury City land Sierra Leone international and former Chelsea youth player Sam Bangura
Published: 06:00, 05 March 2020
Updated: 10:06, 05 March 2020
Former Chelsea youth prospect Sam Bangura has signed for Canterbury City.
Full-back Bangura, who has also played internationally for Sierra Leone, has joined the Southern Counties East League club after moving to Kent.
He came off the bench to make his City bow in their 5-0 home win over Welling Town on Tuesday but Rolando Onu, another player signed by joint-managers Chris Woollcott and Josh Hall this week, didn't feature.
Liam Middleton (2), Adam Woollcott, Lewis West and Thomas Ngegba scored their goals.
On how City had come to sign Bangura, Woollcott explained: “It was a bit of a random one, to be fair.
“He was playing in the Isthmian League (predominantly for Marlow) but he has just moved to the Thanet area, so he got in touch with us.
“We got him into training and he looked good. His CV speaks for itself.
“He is a really good signing and he looks the real deal.
“I think, for most of his Chelsea career, he played as a full-back.
"But he spoke to us and said he likes playing in midfield, as well.
“It’s good to have that cover.”
Dover Academy striker Onu has also signed for eighth-placed City and is expected to be involved this Saturday when they visit bottom side Erith & Belvedere.
The Deres, who recently appointed Del Oldfield as their new manager, were hammered 10-0 by FA Vase quarter-finalists Corinthian on Tuesday night.
Asked what threat Erith will pose to City, Woollcott said: “It’s a bit of mystery because they have a new manager in place.
“That’s the situation we were in (when City’s joint-bosses took over in December).
“They could bring seven or eight players in and be a really good team again.
"After Tuesday, they will want to put a performance in this weekend, particularly at home.
“There are no easy games in this division, whether you are playing against top or bottom-of-the-table.
“So, we need to maintain our levels.”
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Thomas Reeves