Middlesbrough striker Britt Assombalonga has it written into his contract that he has to wear the No.9 shirt for the club, according to Patrick Bamford.  

Bamford and Assombalonga were teammates at Boro during the 2016/17 campaign, with the pair playing under both Garry Monk and Tony Pulis, helping the Teessiders into the play-offs that particular year.

The current Leeds United striker had been a Boro for half a season before Assombalonga rocked up in the summer of 2017, with the striker’s fee reported to be around the £15m mark.

Quiz: Has Britt Assombalonga done these 12 things at Middlesbrough?

For Bamford, he wore the No.11, but it was the No.9 he craved. However, that shirt was reserved for Assombalonga, who struck 15 goals in his debut season for Boro – two more than Bamford managed. 

Revealing Assombalonga’s bizarre clause, Bamford to Leeds’ media team: "That's something I've always wanted. I've always wanted to be the main striker and wear the number 9.  

“I remember when I was at Middlesbrough, we were going into a new season, I wanted the number 9 but we just signed Britt, and apparently in his contract he said he had to have the number 9 shirt. They gave it to him, though seeing as he was my mate I didn't really mind.” 

Bamford was out of the door in the summer of 2018, allowing Assombalonga to become Boro’s main striker over the last two seasons.

Since departing Boro, Bamford has linked up with Leeds and taken on the vacant No.9 shirt.

The Whites top the Championship table as things stand.

The Verdict  

This is a bizarre clause for Assombalonga to have in his contract.

However, strikers love to be the No.9 (you can see how much of a big deal it is to Bamford) so maybe it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise.

This year, Bamford has proved to be the most efficient of the two No.9s in the Championship, which he will be delighted with given his relationship with Assombalonga.

Thoughts? Let us know!