Middlesbrough defender Luke Ayling has revealed his "hurt" over leaving Leeds United in the summer. The popular right-back departed Elland Road at the end of June following the expiry of his contract.
It brought to and end his seven-and-a-half-year stint with United. The 33-year-old clocked up 268 appearances for the West Yorkshire outfit, featuring prominently in the Whites team who secured promotion back to the Premier League in 2020.
But Ayling lost his place in the starting line-up under Daniel Farke last term and was allowed to join Boro on loan. He starred at the Riverside in their strong end to the season, prompting them to sign Ayling on a permanent basis.
Reflecting on the end of his United career, Ayling told the My Mate's A Footballer podcast. "I found it tough to leave at the time that I did. I still felt like I could help the team and get them to where they wanted to go.
"Leaving Leeds hurt then, and to leave the boys I'd spent five, six, seven years with certainly hurt. But it all came down to myself wanting to play football. It was either stay there for six months, sit on the bench or even not make the squad, or get out and play some football. I've been given a home at Boro and I'm really enjoying it."
In the absence of injured Middlesbrough midfielder Jonathan Howson, Ayling has been handed the captain's armband by head coach Michael Carrick. He has established himself as Boro's first-choice right-back.
"Speaking to someone like Michael and him showing how much he wants me gave me the confidence I needed at the time," said Ayling. "My confidence was a bit low - we had just finished in the Premier League and it didn't finish too well. It was a tough 18 months really.
"So to have Michael say he really wants me to come to the club and put my mark on things, it was just nice."
