Defender set to complete free transfer after Birmingham City release
George Friend has left Birmingham City at the end of his contract this summer, and he’s now set to make a switch to League One
George Friend is set to secure the next
move of his career after leaving Birmingham City in the summer. Veteran defender Friend is expected to sign for League One Bristol Rovers on a free transfer after his Blues spell came to an end at the end of his contract.
Friend, who hails from Barnstaple in Devon, came through the ranks at Exeter City before leaving for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2008, but he’s best known for his eight-year spell up at Middlesbrough. Friend followed former boss Aitor Karanka to Blues in 2020, though, and has spent the last three years in B9.
The centre half and left back made 52 appearances for Blues over the course of those three years for Karanka, Lee Bowyer and John Eustace and was well liked by teammates and staff, but Friend only played in seven matches last season and the summer was always likely to bring new pastures.
Rovers, who finished 17th in League One last year, have Joey Barton in charge and he confirmed that Friend was close to signing after spending a period of time training with the group, when speaking to BristolLive: “It’s nearly there and he’ll be another good addition to the group for us. He’s been good while he’s been with us.”
Friend, it’s reported, has been on trial and has left Barton and his staff impressed. The deal is not yet rubberstamped as a medical is required, but the pre-transfer formalities are not thought to pose too many problems and Friend will be permitted a move to a club which will allow him to be closer to his south west roots.
Bristol Rovers are set to make George Friend their fourth signing of the summer as Joey Barton adds more defensive experience and leadership to his squad.
Friend didn’t play as the Gas beat Melksham Town 9-0 on Friday night as the deal is yet to be fully concluded with a medical required, but the 35-year-old has impressed Barton and his staff this week at The Quarters having joined the rest of the squad for the start of pre-season on Monday.
Friend is available on a free transfer following his release at Birmingham City and his impending switch to the Mem moves him closer to his hometown of Barnstaple, with the defender having left Exeter City for Wolves in 2008 when he was 20.
“It’s nearly there and he’ll be another good addition to the group for us,” said Barton, with Friend following Luke Thomas, James Wilson and Jevani Brown as summer signings. “He’s been good while he’s been with us.”
Capable of playing as a left-back or left-sided centre-back, he provides the Gas defence with a degree of versatility but also provides Barton with extra options on that side of defence.
With the loan return of Lewis Gibson to Everton and Calum Macdonald released at the end of 2022/23, Rovers don’t possess any natural left-footers with senior experience outside of Lewis Gordon, who missed the win over Melksham after sustaining an injury in training this week.
Friend boasts 498 appearances over a 17-year playing career that began with the Grecians and has taken him to Wolves, Doncaster Rovers, Middlesbrough and Birmingham, as his permanent clubs.
Alongside fellow new arrival Wilson he should give the Gas backline some of the leadership, organisation and nous they were missing last season where Barton displayed a preference for fielding young defenders.
Friend isn’t the only triallist currently with Rovers as a mystery player took to the field against Melksham and was among the scorers at Oakfield Stadium as he tapped into an empty net for the eighth goal after Aaron Collins’ free kick struck the post.
Although Barton refused to name the No15, it’s understood to be midfielder Teo Kurtaran who spent the start of last season at Hutnik Warszawa in the Polish second division before returning to England to play for Isthmian League side Walton & Hersham..
The 21-year-old, who was previously with Kingstonian, played as a right-sided forward and in central midfield and left his imprint on the game with a series of smart and incisive passes combined with plenty of positive energy down the flank, and Barton liked what he saw.
“He was good, wasn’t he?” added Barton. “It’s not his position (on the wing) and I wanted to get him into the middle of the pitch because he’s a central midfielder but young Jerry (Lawrence) is one of ours.
“He’s done well this week, he’s done well in the fitness tests and has given another good showing so (we’re) really pleased with all the performances.”
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