Adilson Malanda is expected to make his Middlesbrough debut against Southampton
Professionalism, work-ethic and drive. Those were the four words that former Charlotte team-mate Tim Ream used to describe Middlesbrough new boy Adilson Malanda.
After a delay on international clearance prevented the centre-back from making his Boro debut at Derby County on New Year’s Day, Malanda is now expected to go straight into the team on Sunday when Kim Hellberg’s side host Southampton.
There is plenty of clamour around the signing of the French defender, who has proven himself one of the finest young defenders in the MLS over the past two campaigns at Charlotte.
His arrival at Boro is timely, with Hellberg negotiating a defensive injury crisis while trying to keep the club’s promotion train on the rails. If the thoughts of two of his Charlotte team-mates are anything to go by, Boro are right to be excited by the 24-year-old’s arrival.
Former Fulham defender Ream told a Charlotte FC goodbye documentary: “I think the words that most come to mind are professionalism, work-ethic and drive.
“The daily work that he does, whether that’s in the gym, whether that’s on the field or whether that’s staying after training and doing extra things, he’s so driven.
“He can be a vocal leader, but I think he’s very good at leading by example. Watching him do the daily things that he does, it says so much about him as a professional. That’s something that will take him much further in his career than anything anyone can tell him or teach him.
“He makes football look so easy, and I think that’s such a good quality to have because when it feels easy, you’re able to play with freedom.
“He’s put in absolutely everything here. I’ve always said when you go to a new club the aim is to show up and try to ensure when you leave you do with the club in a better place. Without a doubt he’s done that here.”
Fellow defender Bill Tuiloma agreed, offering similarly exciting thoughts on Boro’s new defender, The New Zealander said: “I’ve known him for the last two years now. I’ve watched him grow not just as a player, but also a person.
“He wants everyone around him to be at their best. He’s not just focused on himself, he’s encouraging everyone around him to be at their best every day in training. That’s the scary part – how good he’s been, yet he’s young and about to move on to bigger things.
“For the last two years he’s been the Player of the Team for a reason. Now he’s moving to Middlesbrough, I’ve no doubt he’s going to do the same thing there. He’s so focused and determined to be better every single day.”
The pair both speak of a determined character as well as a quality player. 79-cap USA defender Ream sees leadership qualities in Malanda, despite being just 24.
“Off the pitch, he’s likeable, he’s friendly and he can speak to anybody,” he noted. “He wants to get to know everybody on a more personal level, and again, I think that speaks volumes about his leadership qualities.”
Offering insight into his personality, Tuiloma added: “I remember when he first came, he was quite shy. He didn’t necessarily know who to speak to. But in the last year, his English has become flawless and it’s really helped him come out of his shell.
“He’s a fun guy and loves fun activities. He particularly enjoys escape rooms. He loves them, and I guess he takes that into his football. He enjoys figuring out things, finding solutions to overcome challenges and so on.”