Ex-Middlesbrough defender Aden Flint made a surprise departure from the Riverside Stadium this summer, moving to South Wales to join Cardiff City.

Flint spent just one season in the North East after arriving from Bristol City in the summer of 2018 for a fee in the region of £7million. 

After scoring eight goals in his final season at Ashton Gate, Middlesbrough supporters were excited by the prospect of a goalscoring centre-back, but Flint failed to reach the heights of his time with the Robins.

It's been much the same situation since moving to Cardiff City.

The 30-year-old was one of the higher earners at the Riverside Stadium and a combination of his big wage packet and Jonathan Woodgate's desire to play a high-intensity, attacking style of football led him to be deemed as dispensable.

But since arriving in Wales it's been a tough test for Flint.

Flint has been an ever-present for the Bluebirds so far this season but he's yet to win over the Cardiff supporters.

Whether that's due to his allegiance to rivals Bristol City, or the fact that Cardiff's defence has been far from secure this term, it's been a solid but unspectacular start for Aden Flint.

The big defender has managed to get on the scoresheet for Cardiff this season, with his one goal in the second game against Luton Town matching his tally for the entire season at the Riverside Stadium.

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He has however racked up four assists for Neil Warnock's side, a more-than respectable tally for a central defender.

We all know that Middlesbrough are struggling this term, but Flint will no doubt be hoping that his new club can progress on their mid-table standing to challenge for a place in the play-off places.

Warnock's side are never easy on the eye, but with a player like Flint in the ranks you'd never bet against them snatching some big results as the season progresses towards the business end.

Middlesbrough supporters didn't lose too much sleep when the decision to sell Aden Flint came to light, but in hindsight I'm sure some will be wondering how the team would be doing with a physical presence like the 30-year-old in the heart of the defence.