Middlesbrough supporters of this generation will no doubt remember George Friend with a great deal of fondness.
The defender joined the club back in the summer of 2012, signing for an undisclosed fee from Doncaster Rovers.
Friend would then spend the next eight years of his career at The Riverside Stadium. During that time, he made 299 appearances in all competitions for the club.
He also helped the club win promotion from the Championship to the Premier League during the 2015/16 season.
Having left the club in 2020, Friend then went on to play for Birmingham City and Bristol Rovers.
On Thursday though, the defender announced his next step in his career. The 36-year-old has now retired from playing, to take up a role as Director of Football with Bristol Rovers.
But while confirming that change in career path, Friend has shown that he not forgotten, or lost his affection for Middlesbrough.
George Friend sends Middlesbrough message after retirement
With Friend making that decision to step away from playing, the defender announced that move in a post on Bristol Rovers’ X page.
While posting that message, he was keen to give a particular shoutout to Middlesbrough for the part they played in his career.
Reflecting on his time at The Riverside Stadium in that post, Friend said:
“A special mention has to be given to Middlesbrough FC. What I achieved, felt and experienced there was more than football. Thank you.
“My dream was to play in the Premier League. Walking out as captain is my proudest moment of all.”
The Bristol Rovers side Friend is now overseeing currently sit 12th in the League One table, 13 points clear of both the play-off places and relegation zone.
Michael Carrick‘s Middlesbrough meanwhile, are 13th in the Championship as things stand, 11 points adrift of the top six.
A nice touch from George Friend
Middlesbrough fans will no doubt appreciate this recognition of the club from Friend.
The defender spent a huge period of his career with the club, during which he became a popular player at The Riverside.
In contrast to that, Middlesbrough themselves also handed some big opportunities to Friend himself.
That is perhaps best highlighted with the 36-year-old’s own comments about the chance to wear the captain’s armband in the Premier League.
As a result, it is good to see that he is still aware of how much the club gave to him, by singling them out for praise in this announcement.
It is something that should help ensure he receives a positive reception whenever he does return to Middlesbrough.
Beyond that, it will also be interesting to see just how Friend fares during his step into a new part of the football world.