Middlesbrough completed their season objective by sealing automatic promotion into the Premier League after a string of seasons in the second-tier. Manager Aitor Karanka has now finalised his retained list ahead of next season, with no great surprises being named.
One of those to leave has already agreed a move elsewhere, so the club had braced themselves for that. He, and the other two, barely played a first-team match this season.
36-year-old centre back Jonathan Woodgate moves on having endured an injury-ravaged season at the Riverside Stadium. The former Real Madrid man played only once, that coming against Burton Albion in the Capital One Cup. He moves on having played over 100 times for his hometown club.
Full back Damia Abella also moves on to pastures new. The 34-year-old didn’t play a single game because of injury last season. He spent two seasons at the club after joining from Spanish side Osasuna, but a serious injury a few months into his spell was something he never really recovered from. He made just seven appearances for Boro.
Finally, the versatile Rhys Williams completes the list of senior professionals who will be allowed to leave. He has already agreed a move to Hyundai A-League side Perth Glory and spent time out on loan at Charlton Athletic earlier in the year.
Younger players Luke Coddington, Jordan Jones and Andre Bennett are also leaving the club, although Coddington has already agreed a move to link up with David Wagner’s Huddersfield Town.
The five loan players that ended the season with the club all return to their parent clubs as well. Those are Tomas Kalas, Gaston Ramirez, Ritchie De Laet, Kike Sola and Michael Agazzi.
