New Birmingham City manager, Aitor Karanaka, has made George Friend his first signing since taking over at the club. The pair worked together while at Middlesbrough, with the 32-year-old signing a two-year deal at St. Andrews.
Aitor Karanka Makes George Friend his First Birmingham City Signing
‘You Got a Friend in me’
📸✍️ Welcome to #BCFC, George. pic.twitter.com/PfVY6ph1dI
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) August 15, 2020
Karanka has worked with George Friend before. The 32-year-left back, who spent eight years at Middlesbrough, worked under the Spaniard during his three-and-a-half-years at the Riverside Stadium.
Boro and Friend won promotion from the Championship in 2015/16 after finishing as runners-up but came back down from the Premier League after just one season.
The left-back turned out 139 times for Middlesbrough under Karanka’s stewardship, where he scored three goals and provided 11 assists.
Friend Career So Far
Friend began his career at Exeter City. He spent three seasons with the Grecians, in which he won promotion from the Conference League, before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship.
During his time with Wolves, in which he made eight appearances over two seasons, he spent time away on loan at Millwall, Southend United, Scunthorpe United and Exeter. Friend then transferred to Doncaster Rovers, where he made 64 appearances for the Championship side.
In 2012/13, Friend joined Middlesbrough. In addition to winning promotion to the Premier League during his eight years with the club, he was also awarded the Community Player of the Year after attending numerous off-field events, as well as winning the players’ Player of the Year award on one occasion.
Friend turned out for Boro 299 times and has made well over 400 career appearances ahead of his Birmingham tenure.
🔵🙌 "I feel very excited. I've just met the lads and I've seen Aitor who I know well. The Club has ambition, there's a good feel around the place."
George Friend spoke to @BluesTV after penning a two-year deal.
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) August 15, 2020
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