Paddy McNair sends message to Middlesbrough supporters as exit confirmed | OneFootball

Paddy McNair has revealed he is leaving Middlesbrough upon the expiry of his contract in an emotional Instagram post thanking the fans, staff and players.

The epitome of a professional, he signed for Boro from North East rivals Sunderland back in 2018 for a fee believed to be around £5 million, playing over 200 times for the Teessiders across six seasons.

Paddy McNair confirms Middlesbrough departure

Once touted to be the next Gary Neville, McNair originally started his career at Manchester United, where Louis van Gaal identified him as a future star for the Red Devils.

The versatile midfielder made a total of 27 appearances in Manchester and moved on to Sunderland, where he would make just one additional appearance in red and white. Finally, at 23 years of age, he found his home on Teesside and proved to everyone that he was a very capable footballer.

His first season saw him make just 16 Championship appearances for Boro, but the following two years he accrued 87 out of a possible 97, becoming a firm part of the side.

McNair's first goal came in a 1-1 draw at the Riverside against Millwall, and he added another 13 to his tally, scoring his final goal for the club in last season's 3-0 win over Blackpool.

His best moment in a Middlesbrough shirt, though, probably came in their 2021-22 FA Cup campaign. In the fourth round, at-the-time manager Chris Wilder took his side to McNair's old home - Old Trafford, and what followed was a memorable night for the former United player as well as his team-mates.

Having gone 1-0 down, Boro would controversially equalise early in the second half through Matt Crooks as the ball appeared to hit Duncan Watmore's arm in the build-up. The game would remarkably go the full distance and penalties would provide the North East side the opportunity to go through.

McNair wasn't going to miss and calmly dispatched the first penalty of the shootout as his side dramatically won 8-7 after extra time.

They followed that up with another shock against Tottenham Hotspur before being beaten at the fourth time of asking, losing 2-0 to Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea.

Paddy McNair sends message to Middlesbrough fans as exit confirmed

The Northern Ireland international, unfortunately, never got to say goodbye in person to the Middlesbrough fans, as an injury has kept him out since March.

But he has since confirmed his departure at the end of his contract which will happen in June, despite the fact that Boro are yet to produce a retained list for the summer.

To say his goodbye, he issued a farewell message on Instagram addressing his Boro compatriots: "After six years and 219 appearances my time @theboroofficial has come to an end.

Paddy McNair should not be short of options

The versatile midfielder/defender is a player who could be a big miss for Michael Carrick's side due to the fact he could cover a number of positions - therefore, he could be a viable asset to many clubs in the Championship and perhaps further afield.

Having posted a picture of himself previously in a Rangers top, many Gers fans it would make sense for the international to make a move to Ibrox.

Undoubtedly other Championship sides will have an interest in signing McNair and not having to pay a transfer fee may free up some room in the wage bill.

But it now remains to be seen as to what the Northern Irishman's next move is and how Middlesbrough also move to fill the void this summer under Carrick.