Middlesbrough are facing the prospect of a busy summer in the transfer market.

The Teessiders have seen a number of experienced players leaving the club over the last couple of years meaning that Neil Warnock has been left with a squad that is filled with talented young players.

But that hasn't always been the way.

Middlesbrough have had some excellent older players over the years, with some of them scoring some crucial goals during their latter days at the club.

But who are these golden oldies and when did they score their last goals for the club?

We've taken to Transfermarkt to mind the club's 10 oldest ever goalscorers.

The striker was one of the Premier League's top strikers during its early seasons.

Brian Deane thrived for clubs such as Doncaster Rovers, Sheffield United and Leeds United before completing a move to Middlesbrough in 1998.

Deane made 90 appearances for the Teessiders, scoring 18 goals during his time at the club.

His last strike came on September 15th 2001 in a 2-0 home with over West Ham United, a goal that he scored at the age of 33 years, 7 months and 8 days.

That was enough to put him at number 10 in our list of Middlesbrough's oldest goalscorers.

Coming in at number nine we have one of the most ruthless attackers in recent memory.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink moved to Middlesbrough in the summer of 2004 and led the line through the club's most successful era the Teessiders secured their best-ever Premier League finish and even went on to reach the UEFA Cup final.

Hasselbaink was an experienced player when he moved to the club and scored his last goal for the club in a 2-0 victory over West Ham United on April 17th 2006.

At the time he was 34 years and 21 days old as he found the net during a very busy period for the club as they juggled life in the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Cup.

A player who only had a short stay at Middlesbrough.

Abel Xavier first moved to the club in the summer of 2005 as a replacement for Michael Reiziger but had his season cut short after failing a drugs test which led to an 18-month ban,

After that suspension was reduced to 12 months, the Portuguese full-back returned to contention for the Teessiders in November 2006 when he emerged as a first team player under new boss Gareth Southgate.

Despite making just 26 appearances for the club, Xavier scored just once for Middlesbrough on January 20th 2007 in a 5-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers - a game which he played at the age of 34 years, 1 month and 21 days.

He certainly won't go down as a Middlesbrough favourite, but at least he has a goal to his name.

A player who will surely be remembered as a true Middlesbrough legend.

Stewart Downing burst onto the first team scene in the early noughties under Steve McClaren before going on to play for the likes of Aston Villa, Liverpool and West Ham United.

The winger moved back to the club in 2015 where he stayed for four years until moving on in 2019.

His final goal came on October 2nd 2018 in a 2-0 away victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road - a game that he played at the age of 34 years, two months and and 10 days.

Having scored 32 goals in more than 400 appearances for the club, there's no doubt that his final goal will have been an emotional one for Downing.

Gary Pallister certainly wasn't renowned for his goalscoring, but that won't bother him/

The centre-back started his career with Middlesbrough in the 1980s before going on to spend nine years as a key player for Manchester United during a particularly dominant spell in the club's history.

Pallister returned to Teesside 1998 as he wound down his playing career, but managed one last moment of glory.

On September 11th 1999 the defender scored in the 3-2 home victory over Southampton at the age of 34 years, 2 months and 12 days old, making him the sixth oldest Middlesbrough goalscorer.

Coming in at number five is one of the most natural leaders to play for the club.

Paul Ince enjoyed a wonderful career at the highest level after playing for the likes of West Ham United, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Liverpool.

In 1999 the midfielder moved to the Riverside Stadium under Bryan Robson and went on to make 97 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals in total.

He was 34 years, 3 months and 19 days when he struck his final goal for the club - an effort which came on February 9th 2002 in a 2-2 draw with Leeds United.

A player who only had a short-lived career with Middlesbrough.

Kieron Dyer enjoyed time with Ipswich Town, West Ham United, Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers before moving to Teesside in 2013.

The midfielder scored just two goals in nine appearances for the club - a decent record given the small amount of fixtures played.

However he still did enough to make it to number four in our list after scoring in the 2-1 away defeat to Bolton Wanderers on April 20th 2013.

Dyer was 34 years, 3 months 22 days old when he found the net - his last effort for the club.

At number three we have a real Middlesbrough legend.

Colin Cooper played for the club for seven years during the 1980s before moving on and spending lengthy spells with both Millwall and Nottingham Forest.

In 1998 he moved back to the Riverside Stadium and stayed until 2006 in a number of roles.

His final goal for the club came on January 12th 2002 in a 2-1 away defeat to Fulham - a match which he played at the age of 34 years 10 months and 15 days.

Jonathan Woodgate comes in at number two in our list.

The central defender grew up in Middlesbrough but started his career with Leeds United after graduating from their academy set-up.

Woodgate went on to enjoy a wonderful career with the likes of Leeds, Newcastle United and even Spanish giants Real Madrid before injuries took over and stopped him from competing at the top level of the game.

After returning to the UK the defender enjoyed two spells with his hometown club, with his last goal coming in February 2015 in a 2-1 away win over Blackpool.

Woodgate was 35 years and 19 days old when he found the net - his last goal before hanging up his boots and pursuing a career as a manager.

At the top of our list is none other than Mr Andy Townsend.

The midfielder enjoyed an excellent career in the Premier League after spending time with Southampton, Aston Villa, Norwich City and Chelsea before making a move to Middlesbrough in 1997.

Townsend spent two years at the Riverside Stadium before moving on to West Bromwich Albion.

His final goal for Middlesbrough came on January 3rd 1999 in an FA Cup clash against Manchester United - a match which he played at the age of 35 years, 5 months 11 days.