Boli Bolingoli was at the end of his contract at Mechelen. He is now very close to signing at Standard.
Among the players reaching the end of their contracts and becoming free agents, Boli Bolingoli has caught the attention of Standard. The 29-year-old left-back didn’t agree to an extension with Mechelen, despite negotiations in that direction. He was still training with the squad in recent days.
His future lies elsewhere. According to Sacha Tavolieri, Standard is interested in him…and is even in the process of finalizing his arrival.
Boli Bolingoli needs to find his rhythm again
In recent seasons, the player has been hampered by serious injuries. He was sidelined from August to February last season due to a hamstring problem, only truly returning to the Mechelen starting eleven for the Playoffs.
The cousin of Romelu and Jordan Lukaku also boasts spells at Celtic Glasgow, Istanbul Basaksehir and Rapid Vienna.
© photonews
It was with Club de Bruges that he first made a name for himself ten years ago: thrown into the deep end by Juan Carlos Garrido, he particularly impressed under Michel Preud’Homme, notably scoring a double on the Besiktas pitch in the round of 16 of the Europa League.
Bolingoli knows Ivan Leko well, having worked under him at Saint-Trond, where he was mainly a backup player.
Boli Bolingoli Set to Join Standard Liège
Experienced left-back Boli Bolingoli is on the verge of signing with Standard Liège after his contract with KV Mechelen expired. The 29-year-old defender, who is a cousin of Romelu and Jordan Lukaku, has been linked with a move to the Belgian club for several weeks, and it appears that a deal is now imminent.
Bolingoli’s Career Path
Bolingoli burst onto the scene at Club Brugge, making his professional debut in 2012. He quickly became a key player for the Belgian giants and was instrumental in their successful run in the UEFA Europa League, scoring a brace against Besiktas in the Round of 16. Following his breakout season, he earned a move to Celtic Glasgow in 2019, where he spent two years, although he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter. He later had spells at Istanbul Basaksehir, Rapid Vienna, and Saint-Trond.
Unfortunately, in recent seasons, Bolingoli’s career has been hampered by a series of injuries. He suffered a hamstring injury last season, keeping him sidelined between August and February. This setback limited his opportunities to play regularly for Mechelen and hampered his return to form.
Reunion with Ivan Leko
Despite the injury setbacks, Bolingoli still harbors ambitions to rekindle his career and make a significant impact at the highest level of Belgian football. His move to Standard Liège represents a fresh start and a chance to regain his previous form. He will be reunited with Ivan Leko at Standard, having previously played under the Croatian coach at Saint-Trond. Leko’s experience and knowledge of Bolingoli’s qualities will likely play a crucial role in helping him adapt to his new surroundings and find his best form once again.
With Bolingoli’s experience, tactical awareness, and physical presence, Standard have secured a valuable asset for their squad. The left-back’s arrival will add depth and competition to their defensive line, potentially strengthening their bid for a top-four finish in the Belgian Pro League. The season ahead will be an exciting chapter for Bolingoli and Standard, as both strive for success and aim for a strong finish in the Belgian top flight.
Keywords:
Boli Bolingoli, Standard Liège, KV Mechelen, Belgian Pro League, Ivan Leko, Left-back, Transfer, Football, Belgian Football, Lukaku, Injury, Comeback, Experience, Tactical Awareness, Physical Presence, Depth, Competition.