How Tavernier, Watmore and other exiteers fared after leaving the Boro
AS will inevitably be the case again this summer, many players left Middlesbrough at the end of last season.
Including loan players and those released, there were 14 players who left the club permanently last summer, and then three more during the January transfer window.
They include Djed Spence and Marcus Tavernier who both left to join Premier League clubs, boosting Boro’s finances in deals worth more than £10m each.
But how did all those players get over the course of the season? As Boro enjoyed a great run under Michael Carrick only to fall short in the play-offs, here’s a round-up of the fortunes of the players who left over the last 12 months.
Caolan Boyd-Munce
Spence joined Tottenham last summer off the back of a hugely successful loan spell at Nottingham Forest where he helped the Midlands outfit win promotion to the Premier League.
It’s been a difficult campaign for the right-back, however, with thenSpurs boss Antonio Conte labelling Spence a club signing after his arrival. The 21-year-old made only six appearances (none of which were starts) in the first half of the season before going out on loan to Ligue 1 side Rennes. There he made 10 appearances, but his last appearance came on April 1 as a knee injury ended his season prematurely.
Opting to leave Boro last summer in order to pursue his dream of playing in the Premier League, Tavernier joined Bournemouth and became a fans’ favourite in the south coast as he helped the Cherries defy the odds and avoid relegation from the top flight.
The Boro academy graduate scored five goals, including the winner against rivals Southampton, and registered four assists as he established himself as a top-flight player over the course of the campaign.
His season ended five games early due to injury, but Gary O’Neil’s side were able to secure the points to ensure their safety.
Released by Chris Wilder at the end of last season, Peltier would later say he felt the former Boro boss made this mistake of trying to make too many changes, after he was sacked by Boro in October after just two wins from the opening 11 games.
Peltier, meanwhile, secured a free transfer to Rotherham United and made 34 appearances, using his vast experience to help the Millers avoid relegation from the Championship.
Out of contract this summer, Rotherham said they are in discussions over an extension.
Bamba was also released at the end of last season by Wilder and initially had plans to continue playing.
There was said to have been interest but Bamba didn’t take any until deciding to train with Bristol City for a long time without actually signing.
He then returned to Cardiff City in January as assistant manager to Sabri Lamouchi as he took his first steps into coaching.
Like Bamba, Taylor ended his playing career after leaving Boro. He initially moved to Dubai with his family and did some training with clubs there as well as media work for broadcasters. But having announced officially his retirement from playing, he soon after joined