Released and retained lists often conjure up surprises: this season is no different for Bromley.
Following promotion to League One, Byron Webster, Carl Jenkinson and Marcus Dinanga were amongst the notable, yet expected, departures upon the expiry of their contracts.
However, the release of second-choice goalkeeper Sam Long and wing-back Brooklyn Ilunga has caused the majority of eyebrow-raising for Bromley supporters.
Ilunga, 22, joined the Ravens in January 2025 from MK Dons as a permanent option to support Bromley’s left side.
Used as an impact substitute, he totalled 20 matches but started just four in his first campaign at Hayes Lane.
The highlight of Ilunga’s first season was two assists across four days in a 1-0 win at home to Doncaster Rovers and a 2-1 loss away to Tranmere Rovers.
Albeit, since that spark, Ilunga’s game time disappointingly remained limited as Bromley’s debut campaign in the EFL came to a conclusion.
With Louis Dennis joining Torquay United and Cameron Congreve returning to Swansea City after his loan, a lack of competition at left wing gave Ilunga the opportunity to make his mark.
Yet the signing of Mitch Pinnock in the summer window restricted Ilunga to the bench even further.
Pinnock enjoyed a standout season that saw him pick up several awards from both Bromley and the EFL where his ten assists were vital in Bromley winning the League Two title.
Meanwhile for Ilunga, to say that cameos were sparse would be a great understatement.
The 22-year-old played 419 minutes in the 2025/26 League Two season and didn’t start a single game, his only starts coming in the Vertu Trophy instead.
Ilunga is certainly talented. His ability in tight spaces and one-vs-one situations gave Bromley fans a different sense of excitement compared to the club’s other wide players.
But a lack of end product is what makes Ilunga’s few appearances seem justified in a promotion-chasing side that needed goals in the absence of the injured Michael Cheek.
In fact Ilunga is yet to score a goal in his professional career, which perhaps explains why manager Andy Woodman gradually shifted Ilunga’s role towards providing more defensive cover as his time at the club progressed.
Speaking after Ilunga’s debut back in January 2025, Woodman stated, “Brooklyn is probably someone people don’t know too much about.”
After one and a half years of sporadic minutes, that still appears to be the case.
Fortunately, the 22-year-old has time on his side and deserves to have interest from League Two and top-half National League clubs.
Ilunga’s decision on his next home, however, must be one that he has to get right if he wants to play regular football, and ultimately establish himself as more than just, “an exciting prospect.”
