ADRIAN BEVINGTON is to leave his role as Middlesbrough’s head of recruitment operations, it has been confirmed.

Middlesbrough have announced his departure this afternoon having been working with his hometown club since May 2018.

The club have issued a statement but are refusing to comment further on the matter at this stage.

A Middlesbrough statement read: “Middlesbrough can confirm that Head of Recruitment Operations Adrian Bevington will part company with the club at the end of the month.”

Neither Bevington nor the club have revealed the reasons for his departure.

He was driving the change of approach and direction of the club, having himself described how he wanted Middlesbrough to develop a golden thread and identity running through the Teesside club.

Bevington, the former managing director of club England with the FA, said: "It has been a pleasure to work with Steve Gibson, Neil Bausor and everyone at the club.

"I’d like to wish Jonathan Woodgate, his staff, the players and supporters every success in the future."

Middlesbrough’s chief executive Neil Bausor said: "On behalf of everyone at the club I’d like to thank Adrian for his work over the past 18 months and wish him well for the future.”