George Friend brings eight-year stay at Middlesbrough to and end as he joins Birmingham City

The 32-year-old arrived at the Riverside Stadium in 2012 but turned down the offer of a new contract at Boro to join the Blues, who are managed by former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka.

Friend made his last appearance for Middlesbrough as they secured their Championship status with a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the prolonged 2019-20 campaign.

He racked up 299 games for the club and held down the left-back spot for several seasons but played just 14 times last season due to injury but played every fixture upon the season's resumption.

Friend was made club captain in January 2019 and Middlesbrough bid the player a fond farewell.

A club statement read: "George was also a key member of the Boro squad which won promotion to the Premier League on an emotional afternoon at the Riverside Stadium in May 2016.

"Off the field, George was a regular representative at community and charity events, and was a frequent ambassador for the MFC Foundation, the club’s charitable arm.

"Everyone connected with MFC would like to wish George all the best for the future."

Friend will line up against his former club next season, which is due to kick off on September 12.

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