Ex-EFL star Britt Assombalonga makes shock switch to sixth-tier club | OneFootball

Britt Assombalonga has secured a move to National League North side Harborough Town

Middlesbrough's signing of Will Lankshear this summer could end up breaking their transfer record if add-ons go through. The man currently holding that record has made a high-profile switch this summer, too.

The former Spurs frontman could end up costing Boro £20 million, after they reportedly agreed £10 million worth of add-ons after spending £10 million up front to bring him to the Riverside.

It shows a big statement of intent from Kim Hellberg's side ahead of the new campaign, as he could become their most expensive signing for nearly a decade. Indeed, their current record arrival is Britt Assombalonga, who joined from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2017 for £15 million.

Back in the early 2010s, the Congolese frontman was one of the more exciting prospects in the EFL, breaking through at Peterborough United and scoring 33 times in the 2013/14 campaign, earning his move to Forest.

A knee injury saw him miss 14 months of action while at the City Ground, but his return campaign a decade ago saw him net 14 in 32, earning that record-breaking transfer to the Riverside.

Nine years on from that move, though, Assombalonga will be playing in the National League North.

Britt Assombalonga makes surprising move to Harborough Town

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Harborough Town have made quite the splash over the past 15 years. Two seasons ago, they reached the second round of the FA Cup, where they were beaten 5-3 after extra time against Reading.

Throughout that time, they've quickly climbed up the regional leagues to the National League North, where they'll play for the first time in their history this season.

It seems as if the Bees aren't resting on their laurels after their most recent promotion, either, as they confirmed the arrival of Assombalonga on an undisclosed contract on Thursday evening.

The 33-year-old made his return to the EFL last October, signing with Barnet in what was, at the time, a marquee move for the reigning National League champions. But Assombalonga struggled to make an impact, scoring just once in five fourth-tier starts.

He was released at the end of the season and has since signed for Harborough. While he is entering the twilight years of his career, at 33, the frontman will still be expected to be a class above the rest, given his past.

EFL fans react to Britt Assombalonga, Harborough Town switch

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While Assombalonga didn't exactly live up to the £15 million price tag at Middlesbrough, he was still a solid Championship frontman, and netted in double digits in all but one of his four seasons at the Riverside.

His second-tier record reads 77 goals in 232 games, and regardless of age, those stats will translate well in the sixth tier of the football pyramid.

Therefore, plenty of EFL fans have reacted to the news that the 33-year-old will be coming up against some part-time sides next season, and have expressed their surprise at what they perceived to be a big decline.

"Not sure things really worked out for Britt," a Forest fan tweeted in response to the signing.

"Assombalonga continues his career decline. Now in the National League North! Will come up against, amongst others, Darlington, Scarborough, Spennymoor, South Shields and Hebburn," a Boro fan added.

A general Championship fan account stated, simply, "Was worth £15 million once..." "Crazy quickly football changes. Assombalonga has gone from Championship to NLN in 3 years," another said, referencing his brief Watford stint in 2023.

Ultimately, though, the general consensus amongst non-league fans is that this is a brilliant coup for the level, and while a lot can be said about his recent stints at the likes of Watford and Barnet, he'll be expected to find some form in the National League North.

For Middlesbrough fans, though, it's a harsh reminder of where their current record signing is currently, and they'll be hoping that Lankshear, if he overtakes Assombalonga, will have a bit more luck at the Riverside than the 33-year-old did.