Brentwood Town can confirm the departures of Ade Cole, Jon Nzengo, Alejandro Machado and Kymani Thomas following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.
All four players played important roles during their time in Sky Blue, contributing towards memorable campaigns which saw the club win promotion back to the Isthmian League Premier Division and reach last season’s Play-Off Final. Everyone at The Arena would like to place on record our thanks for their efforts and commitment during their time with the Blues.
Ade Cole
As many supporters will have already seen, Ade has joined newly promoted AFC Whyteleafe following a season and a half with the Blues.
The skilful midfielder joined us from Walthamstow in January 2025 and proved to be a pivotal signing, slotting seamlessly into our midfield as we went on to lift the Isthmian League North title. Ade also chipped in with two crucial goals against Bury Town and Mildenhall Town during that memorable promotion-winning campaign.
Ade remained with us for our return to the Isthmian League Premier Division and once again became a vital cog in the side as we reached the Play-Off Final.
In total, Ade made 60 appearances and scored 3 goals – with that third strike being that ice-cold penalty away to Aveley in the Play-Off Semi-Final. The coolest man on the pitch – our very own non-league N’Golo Kanté.
Everyone at Brentwood Town would like to thank Ade for his efforts in blue and wish him all the very best in his new adventure. We look forward to welcoming him back to The Arena when we face AFC Whyteleafe this season.
Jon Nzengo
Jon departs the Blues after 2 & a half years with the club.
Joining from Essex neighbours Aveley in November 2023, Jon quickly became a fan favourite with his relentless energy down the right-hand side and eye for goal – earning himself the nickname “The Brentwood Cafu”.
Jon played a key role in helping us reach the Isthmian League North Play-Off Final in 2024, before remaining with the club for the following campaign as we secured promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division.
After agreeing terms to stay with us last season, Jon unfortunately saw his campaign heavily disrupted by two long-term injuries, restricting him to just 14 appearances.
Despite that, Jon leaves having made 94 appearances for the Blues – agonisingly just six short of the magic 100 – while scoring 8 goals, with plenty of them absolute screamers.
Everyone at Brentwood Town would like to thank Jon for everything he has given the club over the years and wish him all the very best for the future. Jon will always be welcome back at The Arena.
Alejandro Machado
‘Ale’ also departs after seven months with the Blues.
The cultured Spaniard joined us in October 2025 and made an instant impact, scoring on his debut away to Westfield in the Isuzu FA Trophy.
From that moment on, the box-to-box midfielder cemented his place in the starting XI, going on to make 34 appearances in Sky Blue and scoring 6 goals – including that outrageous free-kick away to Canvey Island.
Everyone at Brentwood Town would like to thank Ale for his efforts during his time at The Arena, and we wish him all the very best as he makes the step up in level. We look forward to following his progress closely.
Kymani Thomas
Kymani also departs after a season at The Arena.
The tricky winger joined us from Waltham Abbey following an impressive campaign at Step 4, which also earned him a short-term spell with Ebbsfleet United in the National League.
It didn’t take long for “KT” to hit the ground running, scoring his first goal for the Blues at home to Burgess Hill Town with a stunning long-range strike.
Kymani would go on to score 14 goals in 47 appearances in Sky Blue – finishing as our joint-highest appearance maker this season alongside Matt Cripps and Danny Ogunleye.
As Kymani himself will tell you – he only scores bangers – and we lost count of the number of absolute worldies he produced throughout the campaign.
Kymani leaves with everyone’s blessing as he makes the step up to the National League South, and everybody at Brentwood Town wishes him nothing but success for the future.
All four players leave with our sincere thanks for their contributions during their time at The Arena, and we wish each of them every success for the future.
News regarding our retained list will follow in due course, with early next week currently the most likely timing.
