Britt Assombalonga has spoken out about his decision to leave Middlesbrough in 2021.

The striker, who joined Boro from Nottingham Forest in 2017, scored 47 goals in 161 appearances before being allowed to depart the Riverside Stadium in early April 2021.

Assombalonga’s contract was due to expire at the end of the 2020/21 Championship season, but then-manager Neil Warnock allowed him leave early, and he went on to join Turkish club Demirspor the following summer.

The former Forest man demonstrated his goal-scoring ability in the second division for Middlesbrough, but was unable to help the North East club return to the Premier League.

Britt Assombalonga makes a positive Neil Warnock admission as he opens up about his Middlesbrough exit.

Warnock named Assombalonga captain at the start of the 2020/21 season, but later dismissed the ex-Watford forward in favour of Jonny Howson.

Assombalonga went on to play two seasons with Turkish club Demirspor before returning to the Hornets and then playing for Antalyaspor and Amed Sportif.

The striker is presently playing for Barnet in League Two, however he has struggled for playing time and scoring opportunities.

Meanwhile, Assombalonga told Teesside Live that his departure from Middlesbrough was due to his refusal to sign any contracts. I discussed a new contract with my manager and am eager to take on a new task.To be fair, he was honest, and I adored Neil Warnock. I thought he was awesome. I believed he was the best; he was honest. At the outset of the season, he appointed me captain. As the season progressed, he emphasized the importance of playing players who would be present.So I responded, ‘That’s OK, because obviously, if I’m not going to be here, you know’. So, there was no bad blood or anything. He informed me of the situation in a respectful manner, which I still value now.That’s what you want, especially in football: someone who is completely honest with you.”

The 33-year-old Barnet striker also said that he has no plans to retire, but is exploring a coaching career after he hangs up his playing boots.

Assombalonga has already received his UEFA B badge and hopes to achieve the A licence while simultaneously working at the academy he founded with his brother, Chris, in Peterborough.

The attacker earned his transfer to Forest in the summer of 2014 after scoring 33 goals in 58 appearances across all competitions for Peterborough in 2013/14.

His contributions helped Posh secure a League One playoff spot.

Middlesbrough may regret that Britt Assombalonga departed the Riverside Stadium for free.

Assombalonga’s final season in Boro colours was far from successful, with only five goals in 31 Championship games until Warnock permitted him to depart the Riverside Stadium in April 2021.

However, his 15 goals in 46 second-tier appearances in 2017/18 helped Middlesbrough reach the play-offs, and he went on to score 14 goals the following season.

Assombalonga quickly established a great reputation among Boro fans after scoring twice in a 2-0 win over Burton Albion in August 2017.

However, as reported by ITV, the North East club paid £15 million for the striker’s services, so they may regret allowing him to leave on a free transfer.