{"id":555576,"date":"2020-06-27T10:17:50","date_gmt":"2020-06-27T14:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=555576"},"modified":"2020-06-27T10:17:50","modified_gmt":"2020-06-27T14:17:50","slug":"middlesbrough-confirm-the-departure-of-rudy-gestede","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/06\/27\/middlesbrough-confirm-the-departure-of-rudy-gestede\/","title":{"rendered":"Middlesbrough Confirm the Departure of Rudy Gestede"},"content":{"rendered":"

Middlesbrough have confirmed<\/a> that striker Rudy Gestede<\/a> will leave when his contract expires at the end of this month.<\/p>\n

Rudy Gestede Departs Middlesbrough<\/h2>\n

Second Confirmed Departure<\/h3>\n

The 31-year-old is joining Daniel Ayala in leaving the Riverside Stadium this summer.<\/p>\n

Both Ayala and Gestede had failed to agree short-term deals until the end of the season, and as a result, will not feature in Middlesbrough seven remaining games. According to Teeside Live<\/a>, the former’s departure was expected.<\/p>\n

However, there had been hope that Ayala’s team-mate may remain with the club for the final fixtures, following his start against Swansea City<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Disappointing Spell on Teeside<\/h3>\n

Arriving for a fee of \u00a36 million, Gestede has failed to live up to expectations at Middlesbrough.<\/p>\n

The Benin international made just 71 appearances during his four-and-a-half years in the North East. In that time, however, he scored just eight times, two of which came this season.<\/p>\n

Gestede has suffered several injuries while at the club. However, his attitude and lack of goalscoring threat has meant that he has been released by the club.<\/p>\n

His departure may also be down to his wages, something of which Middlesbrough may not have been able to afford. The club have undergone a transition in recent years, choosing not to make major marquee signings, instead opting to develop their academy talents.<\/p>\n

Could Rudy Gestede Remaining In the Championship?<\/h3>\n

The now-free agent could prove a good option for several Championship clubs, should he rediscover the form he once had at Blackburn Rovers.<\/p>\n

After failing to make much of an impact with Cardiff City,<\/a> Gestede joined Blackburn in 2013. He impressed during a two-season spell with the Lancashire based club, scoring 35 goals in 73 appearances.<\/p>\n

However, he has failed to rediscover that form ever since. As a result, it may be the case he is used as a squad player, should he remain in the Championship.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>