Middlesbrough enjoyed a season of strong performances in the 2021/22 season and were unlucky to finish just one place outside of the play off places for promotion.
While certain players shined brighter for Boro than they had before, such as Marcus Tavernier, there was one such player who failed to make the impact either he or his club had hoped.
Irish striker Aaron Connolly joined the Teesside club on loan from Brighton but will leave with having made no lasting impression on the side.
Connolly managed just two heavily-deflected goals in his five months up north and after being given plenty of game time, would eventually lose his place.
As he returns to Graham Potter’s squad down south, it remains unknown whether Connolly has a place in Potter’s visions.
Former Ireland striker David Connolly spoke on the RTE Sport podcast expressing his concerns over his fellow countryman saying: “I have worries for Aaron in terms of where he goes from him...I think (Chris Wilder) would have given Aaron a lot of opportunities to impress him in games and in training. But he also doesn’t suffer fools at all. So it worries me that he didn’t have the impact that he would have wanted.”
Check out all the latest transfer news from Middlesbrough and their Championship rivals...
1. Ball seals League One move
Former Rotherham United star Dominic Ball has signed with Ipswich Town after he was released by Queens Park Rangers this season. He was one of six players to be released by Rangers and is the second signing Ipswich have made, the first being another Rotherham star Freddie Ladapo. (BBC Sport) | Getty Images
2. Swansea City look to secure cut-price deal
Swansea City have cut Steven Benda’s price-tag in half as they look for a sale but Peterborough United are still unwilling to make a permanent move. The Posh hoped for the goalkeeper in the January transfer window but have now moved on to other targets as Swansea look to offload the 23-year-old. (Football League World) | Getty Images
3. Bristol City tie key man down to new deal
Swiss international Timm Klose has signed a new one-year contract with Bristol City. He has made 18 appearances for the Robins after joining in January from Norwich and has scored once. The centre-back’s contract also includes the option of a further year. (BBC Sport) | Getty Images
4. Bournemouth target reveals ambitions
Bournemouth are hopeful of keeping Liverpool man Nat Phillips at the Vitality Stadium on a permanent basis after the defender played a key role in the Cherries fight for promotion last season. Phillips however looks set for a break from football before any discussions regarding his future take place (Football League World) | Getty Images