Middlesbrough notebook as Teesside favourite departs promotion rivals and Carrick's cup win

Middlesbrough favourite Ben Gibson is a free agent this summer after it was announced that he is leaving Norwich City at the end of his contract.

The former Middlesbrough defender who became a huge fan-favourite on Teesside after graduating from the club's academy, is leaving Norwich after four years - the first year of which was initially on loan. Gibson made over 100 appearances for the Canaries and was part of their Championship title-winning side in that first season, which activated a purchase clause.

But with Norwich failing to seal promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs this term, Gibson is one of five players leaving Carrow Road this summer when his contract expires at the end of June. Danny Batth, Dimitris Giannoulis, Sam McCallum and Jon McCracken will also leave on frees, while striker Sydney van Hooijdonk returns to Bologna after a loan spell.

Gibson, now 31, will now begin the process of looking for a new club. It's uncertain if Boro would be interested in a reunion, with Michael Carrick's squad already boasting four senior centre-backs. The nephew of Steve Gibson, Ben did return to Teesside in February 2020 to train with Boro after permission from Burnley after his £15 million move from Boro to Turf Moor didn't work out.

READ MORE: Middlesbrough's squad after the retained list, possible incomings and likely departures

He played with Jonathan Woodgate, who was in charge when he returned to train with the club and now serves as Carrick's assistant, so there will be plenty of awareness at the club of what Gibson could potentially offer. But with Gibson likely an attractive prospect to many Championship clubs, whether a Boro return proves viable at this stage remains to be seen.

As far as his football is concerned, however, Gibson got the biggest reminder this year of priorities in life, with the importance of the game put into perspective for him on New Year's Day. When coming off the pitch after a Norwich game, he learned that his newborn premature daughter Mylie had stopped breathing eight times while he was away.

Now thankfully Mylie is home and healthy and the defender recently had Mylie and his son accompany him on the end-of-season lap of appreciation at Carrow Road. He posted images of his family on Instagram just last week, writing: "Feeling like the luckiest person in the world."

Max Howells signs first pro contract

Max Howells has become the latest Boro academy star to be rewarded with his first professional contract.

The 19-year-old all-action attacking midfielder signed the deal to remain at the club having impressed during a half-season loan spell at Whitby Town this season which saw him score five goals in ten appearances for the Northern Premier League outfit.

From Stockton, Howells also made 16 appearances for the Boro under-21 side this term, scoring twice. He joined Boro's academy as an under-13 and can play on either wing as well as just behind the main striker. The length of the deal was not announced by the club.

Carrick's cup success

Before the end of the season, Carrick admitted that while he planned to enjoy a little break and enjoy some time with his family at the start of the summer, he could never really truly switch off when so much goes on during the summer months with regards to planning for next season.

The Boro boss did have reason to celebrate with family this weekend, however, when son Jacey helped Manchester United U14s become Albert Phelan National Champions via a 2-0 win over Millwall on Sunday. The Boro boss was pictured with his son, celebrating after the game.

His footballing talent appears to have been passed on to his son, as is the case with his former Red Devils team-mate Wayne Rooney, whose son Kai was also part of the successful young Man United side, even scoring one of the two goals in the game too.

England youth call-ups

Fresh from recent debuts for Boro, academy stars Law McCabe and Ajay Matthews have received England under-18 call-ups ahead of two friendlies this week. The Young Lions play Northern Ireland on Wednesday, May 22 (7pm KO) and then Morocco on Sunday, May 26 (2pm) at England's St George's Park training base in Burton.

McCabe - who made his full Boro debut in an impressive display against Watford on the final day of the season - played twice for England U18s last September but hadn't been called up since. Matthews, meanwhile, made his Boro debut against Leeds and also appeared at Cardiff City too. He is in line to make his England U18s debut having previously represented the U17s.

Robbie Keane could secure England coaching return

Robbie Keane's period coaching at Middlesbrough under Jonathan Woodgate may not have proven a success, but the former Tottenham and Ireland striker is growing a big reputation in coaching.

After also served coaching roles with Ireland and Leeds United, Keane replaced former Boro boss Aitor Karanka at the helm of Israeli outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv last June. In his first season in management, he has guided them to a domestic double, scooping the Israeli Premier League and Israel Toto Cup.

On the back of that, a report from Sun journalist Alan Nixon over the weekend claimed that Keane would be open to a return to England this summer should the right opportunity arise. With many clubs changing managers in the off-season, it's claimed that he could crop up on a few lists and receive job offers.