Pogatetz leaves Middlesbrough to join Hannover

02 June 2010 18:00
EMANUEL Pogatetz has turned his back on Middlesbrough and agreed to sign a three-year contract with German side Hannover.[LNB] The former Boro captain, who is due to become a free agent at the end of this month, had previously discussed a possible new deal with officials at the Riverside.[LNB] However, he has opted to end his association with the Teessiders after five years and more than 150 senior appearances.[LNB] "Emanuel is an experienced player who can also play on the left of the defence," said Hannover coach Mirko Slomka. "He will expand our options in defence greatly."[LNB] Confirmation of Pogatetz's departure represents a considerable blow to Boro boss Gordon Strachan, who had been hoping to keep the Austria international on Teesside for at least another season.[LNB] Back in January, Pogatetz came close to joining Panathinaikos, only for a proposed £1.5m deal to collapse as a result of a power struggle between competing factions on the Greek club's board.[LNB] The defender, who has struggled with a series of knee injuries in recent years, returned to action in the second half of the season, and ended the campaign talking of a desire to sign a new deal with Middlesbrough.[LNB] However, Hannover's contract offer is understood to have been significantly more lucrative than Boro's, and Pogatetz will return to the Bundesliga next season after leaving Germany to move to England in 2005.[LNB] His exit might not be the only defensive blow Strachan is forced to deal with this month, as Stephen McManus is being primed for a return to his parent club Celtic.[LNB] McManus spent the second half of last season on loan at the Riverside, and Strachan is keen to retain his services.[LNB] The Scotland international travelled to La Manga with the rest of the Boro squad for a training camp last week, raising hopes of either a permanent switch or a second loan deal next season.[LNB] However, sources in Scotland claim Neil Lennon is set to be appointed as Celtic's new permanent manager within the next 48 hours.[LNB] Lennon is an avowed admirer of McManus, and is likely to make the defender's return one of his major priorities in the opening weeks of his reign.[LNB] ** READ MORE MIDDLESBROUGH NEWS IN TOMORROW'S NORTHERN ECHO **[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo