Middlesbrough midfielder Barry Robson to join MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps in summer

33-year-old Scotsman set to move abroad with Canadian club after successful spell at the Riverside could end in promotion for Boro later this term

16 Feb 2012 17:21:00

By Nathan Lowe

More On :  Middlesbrough, Vancouver Whitecaps, Barry Robson
Barry Robson - Sunderland vs. Middlesbrough
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Middlesbrough midfielder Barry Robson has agreed to join MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps after his contract at the Riverside expires this summer.

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The 33-year-old holds high regard for the club he spent the last two-and-a-half years at, and hopes to help Teesiders gain promotion back to the Premier League before leaving in July.

"I've enjoyed my time with Middlesbrough enormously and the move to England has been good for me and for my career," Robson told the club's official website.

"My immediate priority is to help Boro win promotion to the Premier League, where the club and their supporters deserve to be.
 
"With the squad we have, there's every chance we can do that, although we all know it's going to be hard with the league being so tight.

"I'd like to wish Tony Mowbray, the club and the fans, who have welcomed me so warmly since I came here, the very best for the future.
 
"I'm very excited to be joining Whitecaps and to continue my career in Major League Soccer. My family and I are also looking forward to our move to the beautiful city of Vancouver.

"But I'll be keeping a very close eye on Boro's fortunes from Canada and they will always have a special place in my heart."

Robson scored 18 times in 77 competitive matches for Boro, including eight times in 26 games this season.

Mowbray's men continue their quest for promotion when they travel to the Championship’s bottom-dwellers Millwall next time out.

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