Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick has reacted after Luke Ayling was confirmed as Leeds United’s first permanent exit of the summer on Monday afternoon.
While there has been no mention of it just yet on Leeds’ socials, 32-year-old Ayling has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Middlesbrough with the Teesside club confirming his permanent arrival today.
Ayling had left Leeds in January after struggling for game time under Daniel Farke during he first half of the season. He chose to go to The Riverside in January and with his deal ending in June, it was the end.
Now, it is confirmed that Ayling has ended an eight-year stint on the Leeds books after Garry Monk lured him to Elland Road from Bristol City in 2016. Since then, Ayling has clocked up 268 games for Leeds.
With Boro confirming the deal on their website, manager Michael Carrick commented on his arrival at The Riverside. He said Middlesbrough had got under Ayling’s skin and was delighted to get the deal done.
Michael Carrick responds as Middlesbrough sign Luke Ayling
It is a deal that was expected since the day he signed on loan in January. Whether that was to Boro however, was always dependant on how the defender did while on loan under Carrick and he has starred.
Playing 19 times from joining the club until the end of the season, Ayling laid on a whopping eight assists for the North East club. It left Boro and Carrick with little choice to sign him, and the gaffer is “delighted”.
“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,” Carrick told the club’s site.
“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,” the Boro boss added.
Leeds will now play against Middlesbrough’s Ayling next season
Leeds did not play against Ayling when beating Middlesbrough in the most-recent clash after Christmas with the right-back on loan and unable to face his parent club, but now that has completely changed.
Ayling will go up against Leeds next season having moved to Carrick’s men permanently, after Leeds suffered defeat in the Championship play-off final to Southampton on Sunday afternoon, losing 1-0.
But Ayling leaves a Leeds legend, a crucial part of Marcelo Bielsa’s side that got Leeds promoted and a key member of the starting line-up that remained in the top tier for three years.