Harborough Town have brought in B. Assombalonga on an undisclosed contract after his release by Barnet at the end of last season. The 33-year-old forward arrives as Harborough prepare for their first National League North campaign after winning the Southern Football League Premier Central division. It is a straightforward non-league signing on paper, but it gives the newly promoted side a striker with a proper senior record behind him.

Harborough's first National League North season

Assombalonga's numbers explain why the move stands out. He has made 486 senior appearances and scored 173 goals, which is a useful profile for a club stepping up a level. Harborough have also been carrying some decent attacking momentum, with nine goals in their last five listed matches and three wins plus two draws in their last five listed cup games. They have been competitive enough to give a forward chances, which is a decent place to start when you add a scorer of this type.

Mitch Austin was clear about why Harborough moved for him. "With Britt moving locally, we had the opportunity to bring him in for pre-season and see whether he still had the bit between his teeth," the Harborough manager told bbc.co.uk. "I'm going to be on him because I want him to have a high-scoring season with us. We want to get the best out of him while making sure he enjoys his football."

Assombalonga's own view was straightforward too. "We will take every game as it comes, and I, along with the rest of the lads, will give everything we have to help the club succeed," he said.

The shape of the move

This is not a headline-grabbing transfer in the usual sense, and it does not need to be. Harborough wanted experience, a finishing record and a player who can handle the step up to National League North. They have signed a 33-year-old who was released by Barnet and still arrives with a long senior career on his side.

The only real question now is how much he can add once the league season starts. For Harborough, the immediate story is simpler than that, they have their first National League North campaign ahead of them and a veteran forward in the squad when it begins.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →