Former Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison said that Jonny Howson will be "a big miss" after his departure from the club.
The defensive midfielder was not given a new deal after the conclusion of his contract last season, bringing an end to his eight-year tenure with the club.
"When Jonny was in the side, you felt more comfortable. When you were going through a bad run and he comes into the side, it all disappears. You seem to be a better side," Maddison told BBC Radio Tees.
"Those players are hard to find.