George Boateng has declared he is quitting Middlesbrough at the end of the season.
Boateng said: "It was difficult in the weeks at the end of last year.
"Before the transfer window five clubs were seriously interested in me and I wanted to talk but (Gareth) Southgate forbade it.
"My contract has a year to run but the management know I won't be staying.
"In the dressing room nothing has changed - even without the armband I'm still the team's spiritual leader."