Luke Ayling has confirmed his exit from Leeds United this evening as he completes a loan move to Middlesbrough until the end of the season – and Pablo Hernandez, among others, have responded.
The 32-year-old has opted to leave Elland Road after seven and a half years at the club, with the right-back struggling for game time under Daniel Farke. He failed to play in our last 11 Championship matches.
He waved goodbye to fans after coming on in our latest outing, a 3-0 FA Cup win over Peterborough on Sunday. After nearly 300 games for Leeds, he leaves with iconic status and as a modern Leeds legend.
He took to Instagram to thanks the fans and the club, naming a few people along the way including the likes of Marcelo Bielsa, Stuart Dallas and Liam Cooper – the latter sending him a message on Twitter.
Pablo Hernandez reacts as Luke Ayling leaves Leeds United
Ayling makes it clear at the top of his statement that “you can never predict the future”, but the chances are that he will be leaving permanently at the end of the campaign. His deal expires in the summer.
Phil Hay reports that Ayling – along with Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas – are unlikely to see their deals extended in the summer, when they end. It looks more and more likely in Ayling’s case, as he departs.
A move to Boro is a brilliant for Ayling, as he joins a fellow promotion-chasing side until the end of the campaign. A loan means he will not be able to play against Leeds when the sides meet on April 20.
Responding to his Instagram post included the likes of Robin Koch, Rodrigo Moreno and Pascal Struijk – as did Leeds magician Hernandez. The man Ayling starred alongside in the 2019-20 promotion season.
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