Hayden Hackney and Latte Lath react to emotional Anfernee Dijksteel, Middlesbrough post | OneFootball

Anfernee Dijksteel's former Middlesbrough team-mates Hayden Hackney and Emmanuel Latte Lath have reacted to his heartfelt farewell message.

Ex-Middlesbrough defender Anfernee Dijksteel has penned an emotional farewell message to the club on social media, and his former team-mates Hayden Hackney and Emmanuel Latte Lath are among those who have reacted.

Dijksteel joined Middlesbrough from Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2019 for a fee of £2 million, and while the club experienced mixed fortunes during his six-year spell at the Riverside Stadium, he was part of the side that reached the Championship play-offs under Michael Carrick in the 2022-23 season.

The 28-year-old arguably enjoyed one of his best seasons in a Boro shirt last term as he scored three goals and provided one assist in 37 appearances, but it was a disappointing campaign for the Teesside outfit as they finished 10th in the table, and he was released at the end of his contract this summer.

Championship duo Queens Park Rangers and Millwall were both said to be keeping tabs on Dijksteel ahead of his Boro exit, but he has instead signed a two-year contract with newly-promoted Turkish Süper Lig side Kocaelispor.

After his move to the Kocaeli Stadium was confirmed on Monday, Dijksteel took to Instagram to send a goodbye message to Boro supporters, and Hackney's comment may attract the most attention given the current speculation over his future.

Hayden Hackney and Emmanuel Latte Lath react to Anfernee Dijksteel's Middlesbrough message

Dijksteel posted a heartfelt reflection on his time at the Riverside Stadium, thanking his team-mates, staff and supporters for helping him grow as a player and a person over the past six years and insisting that he will continue to hold the club close to his heart.

"Since 2019, Middlesbrough has been so much more than just a club to me. It’s been home. I’ve grown here as a player and as a person, surrounded by incredible teammates, staff, and fans who always made me feel supported," Dijksteel wrote on Instagram.

"I’m deeply thankful for every moment, every cheer, and every shared goal. To the club, my colleagues, and the Boro family, thank you from the bottom of my heart. This chapter ends, but Middlesbrough will always be part of me."

Hackney was quick to wish his former team-mate well on his new adventure in Turkey, writing: "All best bro."

Latte Lath, who scored 29 goals and provided four assists in 67 games for Middlesbrough prior to his £22.5 million move to Atlanta United in January, was another to share his reaction to Dijksteel's message, commenting: "Messiii player. All the best my big bro."

Dijksteel and Latte Lath have both departed the Riverside Stadium this year, but despite Ipswich Town having a £20 million bid rejected for Hackney, he could still be the next to move on as talks are continuing between the two clubs, and the Suffolk outfit are reportedly willing to offer the midfielder a stunning £35,000-a-week in wages.

Speculation over Hackney's future is nothing new as the midfielder has been linked with a number of Premier League and European clubs in recent years, but Ipswich's £20 million bid for the 23-year-old could change the situation significantly.

Hackney would reportedly prefer a move to the Premier League, but with no top flight offers currently on the table, he is believed to be "open" to joining the Tractor Boys, who will be one of the promotion favourites in the Championship next season.

With the likes of Dijksteel, Latte Lath and Jonny Howson departing, there have been a number of high-profile exits from the Riverside Stadium in recent months, but Hackney is one player that Middlesbrough will be desperate to keep hold of.