Coventry City: Al Bangura signs for Sky Blues on short-term contract

Former Watford and Forest Green midfielder Al BanguraEmpics

Al Bangura started the campaign playing in Forest Green's pre-season matches before his contract was terminated

Coventry City have signed midfielder Al Bangura on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old ex-Watford, Brighton, Blackpool and Forest Green player has spent the last month on trial with the Sky Blues and has signed until 25 May.

"We've been impressed with the way Al has performed in training and for the Under-21s," said boss Tony Mowbray.

"He has improved his fitness and gives us an option we currently don't have as he is a combative midfielder."

Bangura's football background

After joining Watford in 2005, Al Bangura went on to make 77 appearances over the next four-and-a-half years before signing for Ian Holloway's Blackpool in August 2009. He also had a brief spell on loan at Brighton, then joined Turkish side Mersin before being signed by Dave Hockaday - who had been Watford's academy director in his time there - for Forest Green in 2011.

Bangura, who played for Sky Blues professional development coach Dave Hockaday at both Watford and Forest Green, has made five appearances for the Sky Blues Under-21s.

But Mowbray believes he can add something at first-team level as relegation-threatened City, currently just three points clear of the drop zone, try to preserve their League One status.

"Even though he has been signed as cover, I want to see him force his way into the team," added Mowbray.

"We've recently added Grant Ward to that position, but I'm expecting Al to provide real competition in that area. Competition is a cornerstone for any successful club."

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