Besart Topallaj is back at Sutton United, returning to familiar surroundings and a club where he enjoyed a productive spell last season.
Speaking after completing his move, the defender reflected on what it means to be back, having taken part in a training session in SM1 for the first time since the lead up to last season’s final day against Woking.
Now under new management, the Kosovo youth international touched on how he feels like he is back home, agreeing a permanent switch this time from Bromley, as well as reflecting on the previous campaign to which he stated he feels there was still more the group could have achieved.
“Yeah, it’s nice to be back home, it’s good.”
“I think about two or three days ago I got the call that I could come in and it was a no-brainer for me.”
“Last season was good, I feel like we still could have made play-offs last season; a few bad results and we couldn’t make it, but yeah, overall enjoyed it here.”
The first half of this season has taken Topallaj far from home, with a loan move to Hartlepool United offering a very different experience both on and off the pitch, moving away from South London for the first time in not just his career, but life.
In addition, the Millwall academy product got the chance to gain his first taste of Chris Agutter’s Sutton, having faced the U’s back in October.
“It was very different. I’ve always lived in London, then to now move down the side of England was very different.”
“I think probably needed it just for myself as well, just to go try something different, a different life, live by myself. I think I needed it.”
“That game [against Sutton], I’d say Sutton dominated the majority of the game, very different football to last season which is obviously an attractive type of football.”
Nonetheless, Agutter’s influence on the chance to return proved to be key, as well as the chance come back into a familiar dressing room helping to make the transition seamless, with plenty of clubs showing interest in a player that had become hot property following his stint at Sutton last term.
“ I spoke to some of the boys from last season, they said that he is a very good coach, a very good manager and the type of football they’re playing, well, we’re playing now, is very good. So, yeah, it was a huge influence.”
“Coming back, it just felt normal again, just felt like last season. It’s a good group of lads, and then the new boys, they all seemed very good as well. So it was easy to settle in straight away.”
Attention now turns to his first game back in Sutton colours, with a home fixture on the horizon against York City, the U’s first clash of 2026, with Topallaj being clear on what he wants to achieve both in the short term and beyond.
“I’m looking forward to a lot, it’ll be a good game, but we’ll be up for it.”
“This season I obviously want to try and help the team be in a secure position, and then next season, push for promotion.”
