Christie broke his leg twice in his four-year spell with Boro

The 28-year-old joined Boro in January 2003 but a succession of injuries have limited him to just 49 appearances.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate said: "I cannot give him the opportunities he understandably wants.

"Now he's over his injury problems, it is important for him to be playing, but I feel he will have more of a chance to be first choice at another club."

During his four-and-a-half-year spell at Boro, Christie suffered two broken legs and a fractured foot.

Southgate added: "Malcolm is a good professional and a great lad to have around, so we wish him well wherever his future takes him.

"Boro fans should not forget his vital contribution to our first ever silverware, when he scored our extra-time goal against Brighton in the League Cup second round when we might have fallen at the first hurdle."

Southgate has also decided to release 21-year-old striker Danny Graham, who came through the youth system at the Riverside Stadium.