EFL Championship side Middlesbrough have released their retained and released list following the end of the 2025–2026 campaign.
The announcement comes shortly after the club’s disappointing defeat in the Championship playoff final at Wembley, where Semi Ajayi’s Hull City secured victory with a late stoppage-time goal.
Among the players expected to leave the Riverside Stadium at the expiration of their contracts on June 30 is young forward Hazeem Bakre.
Bakre had earlier disclosed to allnigeriasoccer.com that he is related to former African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman through his father’s family.
The attacker joined Middlesbrough’s U18 setup towards the closing stages of the 2023–2024 season after departing Huddersfield Town.
In the summer of 2024, the 20-year-old earned his first professional contract with Boro, although the agreement is due to expire at the end of next month.
Bakre spent the latter part of last season on loan at National League North club Darlington, where he recorded one goal and one assist in 15 league appearances.
During his final campaign with Middlesbrough, the youngster also featured regularly for the club’s U21 side in Premier League 2 and National League Cup matches.
Born in south-east London in 2005, Bakre has opted to represent Nigeria internationally instead of England.
