Middlesbrough legend Jonny Howson sends emotional message to fans after exit with ‘failed’ admission

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Jonny Howson has made an honest claim after his Middlesbrough exit following eight years at Boro.

Middlesbrough have made some high-profile transfer decisions this summer amid Rob Edwards’ appointment.

Millwall signed Josh Coburn from Middlesbrough in a record deal for the Lions after his impressive stint on loan last season under Alex Neil.

As well as Coburn, veteran full-back Anfernee Dijksteel left Middlesbrough after six seasons at the Riverside and has now signed for Turkish Super League outfit Kocaelispor.

However, the most emotional summer exit came when Boro legend Jonny Howson left Middlesbrough after an eight-year association on Teesside, and the veteran midfielder has now shared an emotional farewell with the fans.

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Jonny Howson shares emotional message to Middlesbrough fans after leaving Boro

Boro fans slammed owner Steve Gibson’s decision after Howson left Middlesbrough last month, with many feeling the 37-year-old should have been given another year on his contract.

Former Leeds United and Norwich City star Howson left Middlesbrough after making 341 appearances in eight seasons at the club.

Despite the entirety of the Boro faithful holding Howson eternally in high regard for his years of dedicated service to the club as captain, the veteran has admitted that he “failed” at Middlesbrough in an emotional farewell message to the fans.

Howson told BBC Sport Tees: “I’m immensely proud to have spent eight years at Boro. I’ve loved it.

“I came here to get promoted. I have failed.

“But, I’m okay with that, because I gave it everything and we created other memories.

“The likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Spurs – which could possibly be the best performance of my career!

“I’m hugely grateful for everything and I hope the fans really do realise the effect they’ve had on me and my family.”

With Middlesbrough’s £2.6m signing of Abdoulaye Kante from Troyes being confirmed this week, the Boro fans will be hoping he can live up to his predecessor, Howson, this season after Edwards’ positive first impressions of the 20-year-old.

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Rob Edwards on new Middlesbrough signing Abdoulaye Kante

As a defensive-minded midfielder, Kante fills the void at the base of Boro’s midfield that was left by Howson’s departure.

Edwards told BBC Sport Tees on Friday: “Alpha, as he likes to be called, what an amazing person.

“He’s just going round at the moment, not understanding everything, but the smile on his face, he is so happy to be here, and we’re happy to have him as well.

“Really aggressive, tenacious midfield player who can handle the ball. Energy galore. I think the fans are going to really take to him.”

Whether the Frenchman goes on to have the calibre of career at Boro that Howson enjoyed remains to be seen, but the appraisal from Edwards on Kante bodes well for the Boro faithful as a potential replacement for Howson.