Middlesbrough have licked their wounds and are looking ahead to the 2026/27 Championship season.
Kim Hellberg saw his side’s automatic promotion push run out of steam last term, but Boro still managed to secure a spot in the top six.
They were beaten by Southampton at the semi-final stage of the play-offs before a dramatic reprieve sent them to the final at Wembley.
Hull City were the victors under the famous arch, defeating Hellberg’s side 1-0 with a late winner from Oli McBurnie.
Post-match, Hellberg said: “How we have played football, how we have performed, how we have strengthened the bond together, how we have fought together, how we have been playing the way we play - there's a lot of things that have been very good.
“But at the end of the day, we were very close, both in the league for automatic and here. But we haven't been good enough, and that's what we have to try to be next year."
Here are 22 free agents Middlesbrough could target to bolster their ranks for the gruelling Championship campaign ahead.
5. Will Smallbone
The 26-year-old midfielder, a Republic of Ireland international, has been released by Southampton after ending the 2025/26 season on loan at Millwall. | Niall Carson/PA Wire
6. Willy Boly
Nottingham Forest have released the 35-year-old centre-back. | Angel Martinez/Getty Images
7. Matt Targett
An experienced left-back, the 30-year-old is available after being released by Newcastle United. He spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Middlesbrough. | Naomi Baker/Getty Images
8. Conor Chaplin
Ipswich Town have not retained the 29-year-old playmaker following his loan stint at Portsmouth. | Chris Radburn/PA Wire