Middlesbrough have confirmed the departure of Antonio Barragan.

Real Betis have signed Barragan on a permanent deal following a successful loan spell at the club last season.

Barragan has secured his permanent switch back to Spain after two years at Middlesbrough.

The 31-year-old joined Boro for their Premier League campaign and was seen as a bit of a marquee signing after moving to England following five seasons with Valencia.

Barragan featured as a centre-back and as a right-back during his time at The Riverside Stadium, playing a total of 27 games in total - 26 of which were in the Premier League.

Following Middlesbrough's relegation to the Championship, the former Spain under-21 international headed back to Spain, joining Real Betis on loan for the season.

The former Liverpool defender helped Betis to an impressive sixth place finish and is now returning on a permanent basis, where he will play for his La Liga side in Europe.

The Verdict

This news will not come as a surprise to anyone and his wages are now off the books.

Tony Pulis was preparing for life without the Spaniard anyway and the wages could now be used to bring in someone else.

Barragan never really impressed at Boro in the Premier League - especially when he was at right-back - and the fans will not be too disappointed by this news.

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