George Friend

The Barnstaple defender, born 17 October 1987, started his football career with the Exeter Youth team in 2005. Having gone on loan to teams like Tiverton Town FC, Team Bath, and Folkestone Invicta from 2005 to 2007, he was privileged to play for Exeter’s senior team in the 2007/2008 season. 

Consequently, he featured prominently in his team’s journey to the playoff finals at Wembley that season. 

Friend joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in the championship on 1 September 2008 for a deal worth around £475,000. The left-back found opportunities hard to come by in Mick McCarthy's team, which influenced his loan moves to Millwall, Southend United, Scunthorpe United and Exeter. 

In the summer of 2010, he joined Doncaster Rovers as a free agent and went on to make 59 league appearances for the team over two years (2010-2012). Although he was the team’s captain and the fans’ player of the year in the 2011/2012 season, his consistent performances were not enough to keep his team in the Championship as they slipped to League One at the end of the season.

Amidst interests from Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest, Friend chose Middlesbrough FC, becoming a Boro player on 30 July 2012, having signed a deal worth £630,000. 

George Friend has won the hearts of the Boro fans owing to his consistent performances and professionalism. He was named in the PFA Championship team for two straight seasons (2014-2016). He has also won the Fans’ Player of the Season award on numerous occasions. 

Club history

July 2012 - June 2020

July 2010 - June 2012

March 2010 - June 2010

December 2009 - February 2010

October 2009 - December 2009

October 2009 - October 2009

September 2009 - October 2009

September 2009 - September 2009

August 2009 - September 2009

September 2008 - August 2009

July 2005 - August 2008