Dael Fry, Middlesbrough’s captain, has signed for Birmingham City after his contract at the Riverside Stadium expired after 21 years.
Fry climbed through the ranks at Borough after joining his hometown club from Cleveland Juniors when he was seven years old, going on to represent the club at all age levels and even England at youth level.
He made his full debut for the club on the first day of the 2015/16 season, in a 0-0 draw against Preston North End, and went on to become a stalwart in the heart of the defence, appearing in just under 300 games across all competitions.
Last season, Fry captained Borough to the Championship play-off final, where they were defeated by Hull City under the Wembley arch, marking the end of his 21-year career with his hometown club.
The 28-year-old will now begin on a new journey with Championship rivals Birmingham, having decided to join the promotion contenders after his Middlesbrough contract expired.
Dael Fry sends passionate social media tribute to Middlesbrough fans following Birmingham City transfer.
Weeks of uncertainty about the Middlesbrough skipper’s future came to an end on Friday afternoon, when he was revealed as a Birmingham player.
This summer has already been difficult for Borough fans, with the spygate scandal and Wembley sadness, and it has only become worse with the exits of two local youngsters, Fry and Hayden Hackney.
Following the announcement of his departure to the Midlands, Fry moved to Instagram to share an emotional message with his former Teesside fans, expressing his gratitude for their support over the past 21 years.
Fry uploaded a photo of himself applauding the supporters, with the caption: “To all Borough fans…..
“Thank you for your invaluable assistance throughout the years. As a local, this meant a lot to me, and I couldn’t leave without thanking you.I have so many fond memories of playing for the club that I’ve supported my entire life. Coming through the Academy to make my Preston debut all those years ago,
and then going on to play for the first team for nearly ten years, was something I never envisaged. “Being the club captain was a dream come true.”There have been disappointments, like the May play-off final at Wembley Stadium, which left me heartbroken like you.I’d also like to thank everyone I’ve played with,
as well as the staff, for helping me become the player and person I am today. I wish the club’s employees the best of luck in the future, since they, like the fans, deserve to succeed.I’m saddened at the end of my time, but also excited for a new opportunity at Birmingham City.The former Borough skipper signed off with “See you all soon, Dael ❤️.”
How Middlesbrough fans responded to Dael Fry’s exit
Borough fans reacted negatively to Fry’s exit on social media, with many going to X to express their unhappiness that the club was unable to negotiate an arrangement to keep him in the red and white.
https://x.com/lilliebrownspt/status/2073071649776083030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2073071649776083030%7Ctwgr%5E259ac0bfc1643aa0523e82988a44912b60a472ae%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ffootballleagueworld.co.uk%2Fwhat-dael-fry-has-said-after-middlesbrough-exit-birmingham-city-move%2F
One fan was upset that greater effort was not made to keep Fry, which came as a further blow after Hackney’s sale to Everton just days before.
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