Harry Brockbank, slightly surprisingly, has left Bolton Wanderers.
The academy product has been released from his contract by mutual consent, with him set to move to an American side – whether that’s in MLS or more likely in the second tier USL is another question.
Brockbank’s departure, regardless of how he fits or doesn’t fit into the current picture at Bolton, is sad. He was one of those youngsters who got the club through the dark times in the summer of 2019, no time more so than when he captained the side in the goalless draw against Coventry. Every player in that side will always be appreciated, but maybe none more than Brockbank, especially when there was interest from Burnley and Sunderland. He has also a lot off the pitch, notably in his work as a mental health ambassador.
But once the takeover was done and the club was more settled off the pitch, he never really had the chance to thrive in those surroundings. A thigh injury scuppered most of his 2019-20 season, only featuring once under Keith Hill. Last season saw him play much more, although he was behind Gethin Jones at right-back, while Ricardo Santos and Alex Baptiste ended up being the preferred centre-back partnership once form improved. This season, again injuries have clipped his wings, and he has never been able to hold down a regular first team place. With Marlon Fossey also arriving, Brockbank would have been arguably third-choice right back and he probably has arrived at a point in his career where he wants regular football somewhere.
It would have been brilliant to have seen him become a regular part of the side for years to come, but it just never was meant to be.