Sam Byram is Middlesbrough's ninth signing of the summer transfer window
Sam Byram has joined Middlesbrough on a free transfer after leaving Leeds United
Sam Byram has joined Middlesbrough on a free transfer after leaving Leeds United
Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Sam Byram after the defender left Leeds United on a free this summer.
The 32-year-old is Boro’s ninth signing of the transfer window and arrives to provide much-needed full-back cover on both the right and left.
The experienced defender, who played a major role in Leeds United’s promotion in 2024-25, has signed a one-year contract at the Riverside, which also includes an option for a further 12 months.
As well as competition in defence, Byram also provides another experienced head in what is a young Boro dressing room. Byram is the first of the nine summer signings who is over the age of 24.
Speaking after joining the club, Byram said: "I’m buzzing to be here. It’s a club I know well from playing against them over many seasons, so I’m very familiar with the place and delighted to be here.
“It’s a great club and a big club, and one that I’m really happy to be part of. I’ve been around this league for a number of years and had a couple of promotions in that time, so I know what it takes.
“It’s an incredibly tough league and a long season, but it’s a great squad and great group. If I can add a bit of experience and a bit of quality, that’s what I’m here to do.”
Byram has made 220 Championship appearances over the course of his career including 36 in Leeds’ promotion-winning year.
He’s also made over 60 Premier League appearances, though only one came last season as he was otherwise restricted to four cup appearances for Daniel Farke’s side last term.
Despite that, Leeds still showed interest in extended the veteran’s contract at the end of last season. Byram, it is understood, was keen to move on and find a club where he had more realistic prospects of playing regularly.
Norwich City were said to have shown interest in re-signing him too, but it is Boro who’ve won the race, ironically thanks to having two influential recruitment figures from Byram’s time at Carrow Road.
Both head of football Kieran Scott and head of recruitment Chris Jones were at Norwich during Byram’s four-year spell as a Canary.
Speaking on Leeds United’s official podcast earlier in the year, Byram said: “For me, I still feel I’ve still got a few years ahead playing football. I’d like to play regularly if I can.
“It's something off the back of before coming here; I had a lot of years on the sideline with injuries. So, I think for me to get myself in a position where it’s the best I’ve felt physically, I think that’s something I really want to fulfil and play as much as I can.”