Luke Ayling has completed a permanent move from Leeds United to Middlesbrough on Monday afternoon and that has prompted reaction from Sam Greenwood and Oli McBurnie.
It comes after 32-year-old Ayling was in attendance at Wembley on Sunday afternoon to watch Leeds lose to Southampton in the play-off final and Ayling told TalkSPORT a move was incoming on Monday.
On Monday, Middlesbrough confirmed the deal for Ayling. A two-year deal that seems him stay at The Riverside until the summer of 2026, having impressed on loan in the North East on loan since January.
Indeed, he played 19 times for Middlesbrough after joining the club in January alongside on-loan star Greenwood and first-team coach Jonathan Woodgate, as well as former Leeds midfielder Jonny Howson.
In that time, Ayling laid on eight assists and Michael Carrick underlined his delight at getting a deal over the line as Boro took to their Instagram account to confirm Ayling’s move would be made permanent.
Greenwood and McBurnie react as Ayling leaves Leeds for Boro
Ayling lasted eight years on the books at Leeds, clocking up a massive 268 games for the Yorkshire side and becoming an Elland Road icon. A key part of the Marcelo Bielsa side that gained promotion in 2020.
A vice-captain under Liam Cooper that often wore the armband with Cooper either injured or unable to start. He was a regular for the Whites in the Premier League and leaves the club as a modern-day legend.
Responding on their Instagram stories, both McBurnie and Greenwood offered their appreciation and congratulations. Greenwood could also be the subject of interest from Boro over a permanent deal.
McBurnie posted: “Love it Bumps”, while Greenwood uploaded a couple of heart emojis.
Ayling chooses to reject Leeds’ rivals to join Middlesbrough
It was not as if a move to Boro was a done deal immediately after the loan had come to an end. Chris Wilder was keen on luring Ayling to Sheffield United after their relegation from the Premier League.
But Ayling rejected a move to work under Wilder, preferring to remain at The Riverside with Carrick. By Boro’s standards, they endured a difficult season and will be hopeful of a top-six finish next season.
Leeds will now come up against Ayling next season after failing to get the better of Southampton, as Russell Martin’s side won for the third time this season against Daniel Farke.