Xavier to leave Boro

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The 34-year-old former Portugal defender rejoined Boro last year following a drugs ban having originally signed for the club in August 2005.

Manager Gareth Southgate told the club's website, mfc.co.uk: "We have been unable to give Abel the terms he was looking for so Abel has decided to move on for a new opportunity. I am disappointed Abel has decided not to stay with us but I'd like to thank him for his contribution to the club. He always did well when called upon and we wish him all the best."

Xavier insists the split is amicable, saying on the club's official website mfc.co.uk: "I would like to say thank you to Middlesbrough Football Club and to the chairman Steve Gibson, who is a great person, enthusiastic and someone who wants to take the club forward.

"Thank you also to Keith Lamb and to the manager Gareth Southgate for the support they gave me in my time at Middlesbrough.

"Gareth has my respect as a person and as a coach. We have not reached agreement to extend my contract but I accept that decision. We move in different directions but with mutual respect.

"I would also like to say thanks to the players because they are the most important thing in football and when you realise we spend a lot of time together, we are a family.

"Gareth Southgate is the correct person to take the club forward because he has respect as a person and as a coach.

"That is a great quality because most of the time this does not happen with players that become managers, as they lose respect towards the players.

"When this kind of thing is missing the players do not show respect to the manager but this is not the case with Gareth."