So, what happens next?
We assess the likes of Josh Coburn, Micah Hamilton, Alex Gilbert and more as Boro prepare to make decisions on a number of players this summer.
JOSH COBURN
Millwall have made no secret of the fact they want to sign Josh Coburn on a permanent deal this summer.
The 22-year-old had an injury disrupted loan spell at The Den and was limited to just 14 Championship starts but Alex Neil was quick to decide the Boro striker was part of his loan term plans after replacing Neil Harris in the hotseat.
Millwall tried and failed to make the deal permanent in January and Boro are expecting further contact from the Lions this summer.
In January, Boro were open to doing a deal for the right price and their stance is unlikely to be any different this summer. Signing a striker to compete with Tommy Conway is one of Boro’s transfer priorities in the coming weeks.
Millwall boss Neil said of Coburn in April: “I’d absolutely love to keep him here.
“I don’t think that’s any secret with Josh. I think he really enjoys it here, and I’ve changed things because of him.
“I very rarely play with two players up front, it’s never really been my shape as a coach, but when you’ve got someone like Josh, it’s worth playing him as part of a two because your goal threat goes up by doing that.”
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MICAH HAMILTON
There was real excitement when Boro signed Micah Hamilton last summer, with the talented young winger having played and scored for Manchester City in the Champions League in the previous season.
It hasn’t yet worked out for the 21-year-old, who made just two Championship starts for Boro in the first half of the season before linking up with Stockport, where he made just five substitute appearances.
There’s no getting away from the fact it was a disappointing campaign for the winger.
But it’s worth remembering here that Hamilton had made just three senior appearances before joining Boro a year ago.
It’s a huge ask to expect a young player with such a lack of senior experience to immediately adapt and shine in the Championship.
It might be that Boro decide a full season long loan is the best course of action for the versatile winger. Time is certainly on Boro’s hands, for Hamilton still has three years left to run on his contract at the Riverside.
And there’s no doubting Hamilton’s quality.
Micah Richards once said of the winger: “He’s dangerous, an electric winger, can play left, can play right, can play in the middle as well. He’s got pace, got skill and he can finish.”
Such was the potential City deemed Hamilton to have, they included a buy-back clause when they let him join Boro.
Despite his lack of experience, Hamilton is 22 before the year is out so will know he needs to adapt to the senior game sooner rather than later.
ALEX GILBERT
Like Hamilton, Alex Gilbert was probably the victim of joining an in-form side in January.
Charlton boss Nathan Jones was overjoyed to land Gilbert, telling of how he wasn’t usually a fan of loan signings but couldn’t turn down the opportunity to add the Middlesbrough forward to his ranks.
But Gilbert joined the Addicks at a time when they were just starting to hit the run of form that saw them threaten the automatic promotion spots and led to them going up through the play-offs.
With that in mind, the 23-year-old was limited to just two starts.
It wasn’t how Gilbert would have envisaged his loan spell playing out after he left Boro shortly after scoring that dramatic last gasp New Year’s Day winner at Hull.
There was something of a clamour in the stands for Gilbert to get more football at the Riverside but the former Brentford youngster has been a fringe figure under Carrick.
This summer feels important. He’s 24 before the end of the year. It could well be now or never for Gilbert at Boro.
SAMMY SILVERA
Boro sent Sammy Silvera out on loan last summer hoping the Aussie winger would benefit from a year of regular football and return ready to stake a claim at the Riverside.
It hasn’t gone to plan.
His spell at Portsmouth turned into something of a disaster, with the Championship’s fans chanting for the winger to be sent back to Boro.
Pompey boss John Mousinho admitted at that stage he was “worried” about the impact it would have on the 24-year-old’s confidence, but Boro had already decided they were recalling him from Fratton Park in January.
Silvera was sent to Blackpool in the second half of the campaign, with Boro hopeful the experienced Steve Bruce would put an arm around the former Central Coast Mariners wideman and get the best out of him, but he only started three League One games.
“It’s been disappointing for Sammy,” said Bruce at the end of the season.
“After a really bright start, he’s not been able to have a run in the team.
“Basically, it’s not just injury, it’s been the way the team has played. He’s a very good player, and we wish him well. We will have a conversation to see what he’s up to.”
Silvera will be allowed to leave this summer if a deal can be agreed.
LUKAS ENGEL
Engel left Boro for FC Cincinnati in February on an initial loan deal until the end of the calendar year, with the MLS club then having the option to make the move permanent.
That feels likely, with Engel having featured prominently for Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference. Patrick Noonan’s side are going well, sitting second, just four points off the top.
Engel was a bit-part player for Boro in the first half of the season and was pushed further down the pecking order after Ryan Giles’ January arrival. That move didn’t work out and Giles won’t be signing on a permanent deal this summer, but Neto Borges improved as the campaign went on and Alex Bangura will be returning from his long-term injury.
ZACH HEMMING
Zach Hemming is likely to make his St Mirren loan move permanent this summer.
The goalkeeper has been a big hit with the Buddies in two separate spells. St Mirren were desperate to re-sign him last summer but Boro wanted the 25-year-old to test himself in League One with Leyton Orient.
That spell didn’t go to plan and he returned to St Mirren in January, quickly establishing himself back in the side.
Boss Stephen Robinson has prioritised the permanent signing of Hemming this summer, with talks with Boro having already taken place.
Hemming said at the end of the season: “I think there’s been talks. Obviously it’s one of those things where I’ve still got another year left on my contract at Middlesbrough so it’s probably down to them more than anyone.
“I’ve said my side of the story and I think my family have obviously spoken, too. They’ve said their point of view and see what happens. But I think it’s just down to Middlesbrough and then the two clubs to agree a deal.”
SONNY FINCH
Michael Carrick is a big fan of Sonny Finch and Boro sent the youngster to MK Dons last summer hoping he’d benefit from a year of regular senior football.
It didn’t work out as hoped.
Finch joined the League Two club in what was initially expected to be a season long loan, but the Dons changed managers soon after, with Scott Lindsey replacing Mike Williamson.
Finch found game-time limited under Lindsey and made just eight appearances and two starts – both of which came in the EFL Cup.
He returned to Teesside in January but having played for Boro in the Carabao Cup early in the campaign was unable to go back out on loan.
Finch is 20 in August and if he goes out on loan again this summer Boro will be desperate to make sure they get the right club.
