Rudy Gestede leaves Middlesbrough after not signing short-term contract extension

Rudy Gestede has left Middlesbrough before the conclusion of the Championship season after failing to sign a short-term contract extension.
DEPARTING: Rudy Gestede. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images.DEPARTING: Rudy Gestede. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images.
DEPARTING: Rudy Gestede. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images.

The 31-year-old joined Boro from Aston Villa in January 2017 and has made 71 appearances for the club, netting eight goals.

He joins Daniel Ayala in departing Middlesbrough before the conclusion of the season, which has been extended until mid-July by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Clubs have been given the opportunity to extend players' contracts until the end of the campaign, although Boro claim there was "no commitment" from Gestede in signing a short-term deal and that he has now left the Riverside.

A club statement on Saturday afternoon confirmed: "Rudy Gestede has joined Daniel Ayala in departing the club ahead of the final games of the season.

"Like Ayala, Gestede’s contract was due to expire on June 30, and as there was no commitment from the striker to sign an extension to July 20 to take in the remaining games of the season, he has left the club.

"Since joining Boro, Gestede has made 71 appearances and scored eight goals. His most recent strike came in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest back in March.

"Both Gestede and Ayala are both now free agents."

Middlesbrough face Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium this afternoon in Neil Warnock's first game in charge since his appointment on Tuesday.