Title winners Bristol City join Championship rivals

After Sunday’s Championship play-off final, which saw Southampton beat Leeds United, the second-tier season has now come to an end and each side’s focus is now fully on squad building over the summer months.

Teams are moving quickly to bolster their ranks to familiarize players with the club’s set-up. It’s no different for Middlesbrough, who today announced via their official website the permanent signing of Luke Ayling from Leeds United.

Ayling spent the second half of the season on loan with Boro and impressed enough to sign a permanent deal after his contract with the Yorkshire outfit expired this summer. The defender has spent the last eight years with Leeds, making 268 appearances, most of them in the second tier.

However, he did not establish himself as a standard Championship defender with the All Whites, but actually first with Yeovil Town and then more with Bristol City. After being signed from Yeovil in 2014, Ayling would join the Robins and be a mainstay in defense for two seasons, making just 100 appearances.

He would be part of the 2014–15 squad that won promotion to the Championship after winning the League One title alongside the Football League Trophy (now the EFL Trophy), and the club have yet to drop down to the second tier since. Now 32, he was an ever-present in defense that season and would take his level up a notch the following year in the Championship. Although he had a season in the second tier with Yeovil previously, Robins really gave him the springboard to be recognized as a quality defender.

Ayling would join Leeds for a fee of £725,000 in 2016 and has been a great servant for the club ever since. There is no fee this time though, with Middlesbrough gaining his services on a free transfer.

Speaking about the signing of the experienced defender, Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick reportedly told the club’s media:

“We are delighted that Luke is staying with us. After arriving on loan in January, he settled in very quickly and made a big impact, bringing his character and personality to the group. He knows what it takes to be successful in this league.

“The club has got under his skin and the fans have really taken to him, so it’s great to have him on board permanently.”

The writer’s vision

Bristol City have established themselves as a pillar of the Championship in recent years and Ayling has played a significant role in their promotion to the second tier. They will be hoping to progress next season as the club have grown accustomed to mid-table obscurity in recent times, although that is still an achievement in itself.

Ayling will also be hoping for a strong season next term, now joining Middlesbrough on a permanent basis. After a slow start, Boro really took off towards the end of the season which coincided with the defender’s arrival.

He’s a great signing for the club and definitely one to watch out for next term.

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