AVELEY have announced the signing of former Southend United defender Brooklyn Kabongolo.

Brooklyn, 21, rose through the youth ranks at Premier League Ipswich Town before leaving to join Isthmian Premier League side Billericay Town at the start of the 2023/24 season.

His performances saw him make the move to fellow Essex side, Southend United in the National League. He went on to make 13 appearances for the Shrimpers, including scoring goal of the month for Southend in December 2023 against Bromley at Roots Hall.

Kabongolo, departed the Essex side and joined Oxford City in February, uronically making his debut against Southend where he helped City to a 0-0 draw. Brooklyn went on to feature for Oxford City for the rest of the season before departing in the summer.