Middlesbrough have announced that head of recruitment operations Adrian Bevington will leave the club at the end of December. 

A former FA executive and board member at Aston Villa, Bevington has held the role for a year and a half after being appointed in May 2018.

Bevington's departure will coincide with the start of what may be a busy January transfer window for the North East club, as they look to add reinforcements to help them avoid relegation.

Following the summer arrival of new manager Jonathan Woodgate, Boro had a shaky start to the campaign and are now 20th, just five points above the relegation zone.

With some of their relegation rivals experiencing change in fortunes under new managers, you feel Boro will have to be shrewd during the transfer window to ensure they can stay above the drop zone–though it appears they will now have to do so with Bevington.

In a statement on the club website, Boro CEO 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.”

Bevington added: "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."

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The Verdict

It's difficult to pick out any particularly successful signings that have been made in the 18 months or so that Bevington has held the role, so this could be a smart move by the North East club.

Boro fans will no doubt be hoping that Bevington's exit can bring a change in fortune for them ahead of what looks like an important January transfer window.

The club needs to back Woodgate and allow him to bring in players to suit the attacking style of football he promised to bring back to the club.