Southend United have announced the signing of striker Macauley Bonne on a one-year deal, with the option to extend, following his summer release from Gillingham.
Former Lincoln City, Charlton, Ipswich and QPR striker Bonne, 28, joins the Shrimpers after a turbulent season with the Gills, where off-field incidents, including a car accident, overshadowed parts of his campaign. Despite that, Bonne scored four goals in 25 league appearances and showed flashes of his potential, including a run of three goals in four games and a crucial winner at Accrington.
Bonne expressed his excitement about the move to Southend, saying, “I’m really happy to be here and crack on. The last couple of years haven’t really gone to plan, but I spoke with the manager, and hopefully, I can get back in the swing of things and back to scoring goals in a league I know really well.” The former Ipswich Town and Charlton Athletic forward will be hoping to rediscover the form that made him a standout talent earlier in his career.
Bonne’s arrival comes as a boost for Southend, who are looking to strengthen their squad for a push up the National League table. His experience at various levels of English football, including spells in the Championship and League One, will bring valuable depth to the squad.
Bonne began his career in the Colchester United Academy after brief spells at Ipswich Town and Norwich City as a youth. He made his professional debut for Colchester in 2013, scoring his first senior goal on his 18th birthday. Bonne had loan spells at Lincoln City and Woking before joining Leyton Orient in 2017, where he had a prolific two-season spell, scoring 45 goals in 90 appearances.
In 2019, Bonne signed for Charlton Athletic for £200,000, marking his debut season in the Championship. A year later, he moved to Queens Park Rangers, where he scored on his debut, but was later loaned to Ipswich Town for the 2021–22 season, where he scored 12 goals in 46 appearances.
Bonne has also had short stints at Gillingham and Cambridge United before joining Southend United in 2024. Internationally, Bonne represents Zimbabwe, making his debut in 2014 and scoring on his first appearance. Despite multiple call-ups, he faced challenges attending due to club commitments and passport issues, but he continues to be an option for the national side.
Writer’s View
Bonne’s signing is seen as a significant statement of intent from Southend as they look to bolster their attacking options. The Shrimpers are eager to bounce back from a challenging period and view Bonne as a player who can provide the goals and experience necessary to propel them up the league standings.
Having spent part of the 2023/24 season on loan at Cambridge United, Bonne will be keen to make a fresh start at Roots Hall and return to regular goal-scoring form. Known for his pace, work rate, and goal-scoring ability, Southend manager Kevin Maher will hope that Bonne can replicate the performances that previously made him one of the most promising forwards in the lower leagues.
Southend United fans will be hopeful that Bonne’s move marks the beginning of a productive chapter for both the player and the club. If he can rediscover the goal-scoring form that saw him excel earlier in his career, Bonne could play a vital role in helping the Shrimpers climb the National League standings and push for promotion.
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