For the second time in as many days, Middlesbrough have seen a local talent who came through their academy move on.
But whereas they could receive up to £25m for Hayden Hackney, centre-back Dael Fry has joined Birmingham City on a free transfer after failing to agree a new contract at the Riverside.
Fry captained the side at the end of last season, when Championship player of the year Hackney was injured.
The Teessiders were keen to keep him, but were unable to agree a new contract with the 28-year-old, whose previous deal expired on Tuesday.
BOSMAN TRANSFER: Dael Fry has joined Birmingham City (Image: Warren Little/Getty Images)placeholder image
BOSMAN TRANSFER: Dael Fry has joined Birmingham City (Image: Warren Little/Getty Images)
The sticking point boiled down to his injury record, having made 20 Championship starts in 2025-26, and 15 in the previous campaign. He has not reached 30 in any of the last four campaigns.
On the other hand, Fry featured in all but four of Boro's games in 2026, including every minute of the play-offs, where they were beaten in the final by Hull City.
Fry, who made his Boro debut in 2015, was thought to have had a clause in his contract which triggered an automatic extension if the club won promotion.
He has signed a three-year contract at St Andrew's.
UNWANTED? Sheffield Wednesday's Ike Ugbo (Image: Steve Ellis)placeholder image
UNWANTED? Sheffield Wednesday's Ike Ugbo (Image: Steve Ellis)
Ike Ugbo has reportedly been training with Sheffield Wednesday's youngsters as the Owls look to replace him.
Ugbo had a successful loan from Troyes in the second half of 2023-24, scoring seven goals to help save the club from Championship relegation. But since that was made permanent at a cost of £2.5m, his only further goals have come in the League Cup.
The League One club are also expected to lose Pierce Charles to Manchester City, where the Northern Ireland goalkeeper learnt his football in the academy.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United goalkeeper Luke Faxon has joined Boston United on loan for the first half of next season.