Adam Clayton has been a key player for Middlesbrough but the club need to rebuild

When the central midfielder arrived on Teesside in August 2014, manager Aitor Karanka described Clayton as ‘a strong player and a strong character’ and just the sort of player he wanted.

Other managers have made similar comments about the Manchester City academy graduate over the years and, despite multiple setbacks during his time at the club, the 31-year-old has repeatedly bounced back.

Yet Clayton’s time at Boro appears all but over after he revealed on Twitter he hasn’t been offered a new contract.

It came after the midfielder signed a short-term waiver to play Boro’s remaining seven Championship fixtures, yet Clayton played just 15 minutes under new manager Neil Warnock.

The reality is the 31-year-old is no longer the box-to-box midfielder that Warnock required, with the 71-year-old preferring to use George Saville, Jonny Howson and Paddy McNair in the engine room.

Howson and Saville have been key players under Warnock, while McNair was also impressive on his return to the side against Sheffield Wednesday.

It’s therefore understandable that Clayton hasn’t been offered a new deal, yet, as one fan put it on social media, it does feel like a rather ‘flat ending’.

Clayton had his critics, those who said he made too many sideways passes and dropped too deep which invited pressure from the opposition.

At times those comments were justified, yet one thing which couldn’t be questioned over the years was the player’s commitment.

Whether it was Marten de Roon, Howson, John Obi Mikel or another midfielder who came in and took Clayton’s spot in the side, he always knuckled down and fought for it back.

Even this season, seven out of Boro’s nine wins under Jonathan Woodgate came when Clayton started in central midfield.

The player’s delight when the Teessiders won away at Charlton just before lockdown was also clear, as the 31-year-old held his arms aloft with a huge grin on his face.

As the midfielder put it on Twitter, ‘I would love to play here forever.’

It’s also easy to forget just how good Clayton was alongside Grant Leadbitter when Boro were challenging for promotion under Aitor Karanka.

The midfield duo were the heartbeat of that side, providing protection for the back four while allowing the attacking players to flourish.

Even when he’s not been in the starting XI, Clayton’s attitude has been praised by managers Tony Pulis, Woodgate and Warnock.

The way it all ended was a little messy and disappointing, as the player posted a picture of him flying off on holiday and confirming he hadn’t been offered a new deal - all while Boro were playing their final game of the season at Sheffield Wednesday.

Clayton has been a fine player for Boro over the last six years and will understandably feel a little aggrieved there won’t be discussions over a new deal.

Yet now seems the right time for the club to part ways, especially as it looks to rebuild for next season.