Following Sunday’s Championship play-off final where Southampton would defeat Leeds United, the second tier season has now been brought to a close and the attention for every side is now fully on building the squad over the summer months.
Teams are acting swiftly to bolster their ranks in order to get players familiar with the set-up at the club. That is no different for Middlesbrough who have today announced via their official website the permanent signing of Luke Ayling from Leeds United.
Ayling had spent the second half of the season on loan with Boro and impressed enough to sign a permanent deal following the expiration of his contract with the Yorkshire side this summer. The defender has spent the last eight years with Leeds, racking up 268 appearances, the majority of those coming in the second tier.
However he wouldn’t establish himself as a Championship standard defender with the Whites, but in fact first with Yeovil Town and then more-so with Bristol City. After being signed from Yeovil in 2014, Ayling would join the Robins and would be a mainstay in the defence over two seasons making just shy of 100 appearances.
He’d be a part of the 2014-15 side who gained promotion to the Championship after winning the League One title alongside the Football League Trophy (now EFL Trophy) and the club are yet to drop out of the second tier since then. The now 32-year-old was everpresent in the defence during that season and would take his level up a notch the following year in the Championship. Although he had a season in the second tier under his belt with Yeovil prior, the Robins truly gave him the springboard to be recognised as a quality defender.
Ayling would join Leeds for a reported £725,000 fee in 2016 and has been a great servant for the club ever since. There’s no fee involved this time around though, with Middlesbrough gaining his services on a free transfer.
Speaking on the signing of the vastly experienced defender, Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick would say to club media :
“We’re delighted that Luke is staying with us. After coming in on loan in January, he settled in very quickly and made a big impact, bringing his character and personality to the group. He knows what it takes to be a success in this league.
“The club has got under his skin and the supporters have really taken to him as well, so it’s great to have him on board permanently.”
Writer’s View
Bristol City have established themselves as a Championship mainstay in recent years and Ayling played a significant part in their promotion into the second tier. They’ll be hoping to progress next season as the club have got used to mid-table obscurity in recent times, although that is still an achievement in itself.
Ayling will also be hoping for a strong season next term now permanently joining up with Middlesbrough. After a slow start, Boro really kicked on towards the end of the season which coincided with the arrival of the defender.
It’s a great signing for the club and they’re certainly one to watch out for next term.
Senior Editor
