Brann have mutually terminated the contract of Welsh winger Rabbi Matondo. The agreement was announced by the club this week, less than half a year after he arrived from Scottish side Rangers at the beginning of April.
The information was first reported by NRK Sport. The 25-year-old Matondo is now searching for a new club as a free agent after failing to secure the playing time he hoped for in Bergen. Sporting director Per-Ove Ludvigsen confirmed the decision. Brann currently sit sixth in the Eliteserien with 25 points from 17 games, having just secured an important 3-2 victory over Rosenborg.
Why did Matondo leave Brann?
Rabbi Matondo's time at Brann was brief. He arrived as a signing from Scottish giants Rangers but never managed to break into manager Eirik Horneland's starting lineup. In total, he made only three substitute appearances in the Eliteserien. The limited playing time led the parties to find a solution that suits everyone involved.
Per-Ove Ludvigsen explained the decision plainly. "He has not gotten as much playing time as we all had hoped, and we have therefore mutually agreed to terminate the contract," the sporting director said. Matondo himself expressed disappointment at not being able to show his qualities to the Brann supporters. The club's squad overview will now be updated with this change.
How does this affect Brann's squad?
Matondo's departure reduces Brann's options on the wings, especially considering several players are already injured. According to the club's official injuries list, Jonas Torsvik, Sakarias Opsahl, and Sævar Atli Magnússon are also sidelined. This leaves a gap in squad depth that the coaching staff must manage.
Brann have shown good offensive form this season, however, scoring 36 goals in 17 matches. The defence has conceded 27, giving a positive goal difference of +9. The team trails league leaders Bodø/Glimt by a significant 16 points, highlighting the challenge of closing the gap. The win over Rosenborg was a crucial step in the right direction.
What's next for Brann?
With Matondo out of the picture, Brann must assess their options within the remaining squad. Attention now turns to the important home fixture against Lillestrøm on September 5th. Lillestrøm currently sit fifth in the table, just one point ahead of Brann, making this a direct battle for position.
Brann's last five matches show a form of three wins and two losses. This inconsistency is something the team must address to secure a top-half finish. Fans can follow the progress towards this goal on our standings page. The contract termination with Matondo likely frees up wage resources for future reinforcements, but immediately, the existing players must shoulder greater responsibility.
