Departure best for all - Mowbray

Manager Tony Mowbray admitted midfielder Kevin Thomson had been very unfortunate with injuries after leaving Middlesbrough by mutual consent with still eighteen months remaining on his contract.

The 28-year-old originally cost Boro £2m when arriving from Rangers in July 2010 as part of former manager Gordon Strachan's extensive raid on his homeland. Australian international striker Scott McDonald, together with Scottish counterparts Barry Robson, Stephen McManus and Kris Boyd, also headed south of the border.

But Thomson went on to fail to score a competitive goal for the Teessiders and significantly never managed a consistent run in the first-team due to a series of niggling injuries.

"We wish Kevin well in his future career," Mowbray told the Evening Gazette. "It's a shame but it just didn't work out for him at Middlesbrough. He couldn't get a long run in the side due to injury after injury.

"Unfortunately, he wasn't able to get the opportunity to show what he could do over a long period of time," he added. "So the club and the player have collectively taken the decision that it's best for all concerned if he moves on."

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