Dael Fry Bids Emotional Farewell to Middlesbrough After Joining Birmingham City
Defender Dael Fry has delivered a heartfelt goodbye message to Middlesbrough supporters after completing a free transfer to Birmingham City, bringing an end to his long-standing association with the club he has supported since childhood.
Fry, 28, spent virtually his entire footballing journey at Middlesbrough, progressing through the club’s youth academy before breaking into the senior team. His professional debut came at the age of 17 in a goalless Championship draw against Preston North End. From that moment, he established himself as a key figure in the squad, making 296 appearances across more than a decade while earning a reputation as one of the club’s most dependable defenders.
With his contract at Middlesbrough coming to an end this summer, Fry opted to begin a new chapter in his career by signing for fellow Championship side Birmingham City on a three-year contract.
Before officially moving on, the centre-back shared an emotional farewell message with Middlesbrough fans through Instagram, expressing his gratitude for the unwavering support he received throughout his time at the club.
He thanked the supporters for standing by him over the years, explaining that representing his hometown club as a local player had been an incredible honour. Fry said it was important for him to personally acknowledge the fans before leaving because their encouragement had meant so much to him during his journey.
Reflecting on his career, Fry described his time at Middlesbrough as unforgettable, recalling the pride of progressing through the academy and eventually making his senior debut. He admitted that when he first entered the club’s youth system, he could never have imagined going on to spend more than ten years in the first team. One of the greatest highlights of his career, he added, was the privilege of captaining the club, a responsibility he described as a dream fulfilled.
Despite the many memorable moments, Fry also acknowledged the difficult experiences he shared with the supporters. In particular, he pointed to the heartbreaking play-off final defeat at Wembley in May, admitting that the disappointment affected him just as deeply as it did the fans.
The defender also extended his appreciation to the teammates, coaches, and staff members who played important roles in his development both as a footballer and as a person. He praised the people behind the scenes at Middlesbrough, describing them as exceptional individuals who deserve future success, just as much as the loyal supporters do.
Although Fry admitted he was saddened that his long spell with Middlesbrough had come to an end, he also expressed excitement about the opportunity to begin a fresh challenge with Birmingham City. Looking ahead, he said he is eager to start work with his new club and looks forward to meeting Birmingham supporters in the near future.
Fry’s arrival at Birmingham City strengthens the club’s defensive options, with the experienced centre-back bringing nearly 300 Championship appearances and more than a decade of experience at the second-tier level. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough continue preparations for the new season and have already begun their summer recruitment, with an attacking player becoming the club’s first signing of the transfer window.
