Adding strength to our defence is what Steve Evans had in mind as Reece Hannam arrived just after the start of the 2023-4 season; the left back snapped up on a free transfer after he left Crystal Palace that summer. It was a deal that didn’t exactly come out of the blue. Hannam had been on trial over the course of pre-season. Time, however, is often a factor in these sorts of things. And so it proved when the defender’s arrival came a couple of weeks after the big kick off.

Hannam is certainly no slouch. He spent three years with the Eagles; picking up their U23 Player of the Year award in 2021. So, there is certainly something about him – and something that appealed hugely to the boss here at the Lamex. “The kid came in for pre-season and has given it everything in the last six weeks,” Evans explained. “He has earned his contract and gets a wonderful opportunity to progress his career after a good period at Crystal Palace.”

Reece Hannam: Before Boro’

Hopes were high for Hannam at Selhurst Park. In some quarters, he was compared to Aaron Wan-Bissaka at left-back. But, aside from his exploits in the U23 side, he couldn’t quite transition to the Eagles’ first team. In search of first team experience, summer 2022 saw him move to Bromley on loan. Prior to his time at Palace, Hannam also spent a large chunk of his youth on the books of West Ham United. It could be Boro’, however, where the player truly makes his name.