BURTON Albion have completed the permanent signing of attacking defender William Kokolo from Middlesbrough, subject to league approval.
The left-sided 21-year-old came through the youth ranks at AS Monaco before joining Middlesbrough’s North-East rivals Sunderland back in 2017.
In March 2020 he signed a two-year deal at The Riverside and spent time out on loan last season with Darlington.
The French youngster has trained on a regular basis with the Boro first team this season under both Neil Warnock and Chris Wilder, most recently playing in their Emirates FA Cup Third Round away win at Mansfield last Saturday.
On signing, Kokolo told iFollow Brewers that he’s excited to be signing for the club and can’t wait to get going.
“I hope I can help the club to go forward, I’m happy and it’s very important for me to come here and get game time,” said Kokolo.
“It came about very quickly - I got a call from Jimmy and speaking to him was a big reason for me joining here.
“I’m a left-back or left-wing-back and I hope to give assists to the forwards.
“We have fantastic facilities here as a club and I hope to have a successful time here with Burton.”
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says he’s looking forward to working with William and that he hopes to bring out the best in the promising youngster.
“He’s coming to play for the left-back or left-wing-back position, where we feel we needed a bit more pace and competition,” said Hasselbaink.
“We see him as one for our future and he comes with good credentials.
“He’s another good player on Burton Albion’s books and we hope that he’s a success with us.”