Middlesbrough have officially confirmed their squad numbers for the 2026-27 Championship campaign, with three senior players notably absent from the list. The club published the full roster on Tuesday highlighting the departures of Alex Bangura, Micah Hamilton and Kaly Sene.
Sene's exit is the most advanced, with the Senegalese striker closing in on a transfer to Swiss Super League side BSC Young Boys after Middlesbrough accepted an offer. Hamilton has been training with other clubs this summer in search of a move, while left-back Bangura, who has one year left on his contract, has been told he is free to leave despite missing much of pre-season through injury.
Which new players received squad numbers?
Several new signings have been allocated their numbers for the upcoming season. Sebastian Berhalter takes the number 6 shirt, with Will Lankshear handed the iconic number 7. Myles Peart-Harris will wear 14, Max Arfsten gets 17, and Kyle Joseph takes 22. The club has also left numbers 1 and 4 vacant, strongly indicating impending arrivals, with goalkeeper Radek Vitek and defender Ashley Phillips heavily linked with moves to the Riverside Stadium.
What other changes were made?
There are several notable number switches among existing players. Aidan Morris, a key midfielder, has been upgraded to the number 10 jersey after wearing 18 for his first two seasons. Leo Castledine moves from 23 to 19 following his January arrival. Goalkeeper Seny Dieng, who is also expected to depart, has surprisingly been given a number but moves from 1 to 21. Youngster Finley Munroe retains the number 15 despite being close to a loan move to Blackpool that was delayed by injury.
How does the squad shape up for the new season?
The confirmed list provides a clear picture of the core group manager Michael Carrick is planning with. Key players like Morgan Whittaker (11), Riley McGree (8), and Tommy Conway (9) retain their prominent numbers. The squad's average age is 24.7, and it contains a blend of Championship experience and promising youth, with eight players aged 21 or under. You can view the complete and updated roster on our squad page.
| Player | Position | New Squad Number |
|---|---|---|
| Aidan Morris | Midfielder | 10 |
| Sebastian Berhalter | Midfielder | 6 |
| Will Lankshear | Forward | 7 |
| Myles Peart-Harris | Midfielder | 14 |
| Max Arfsten | Defender | 17 |
The omission of Bangura, Hamilton and Sene confirms their expected exits from the Riverside. The club's decision to leave numbers 1 and 4 open points to imminent business in the final days of the transfer window. Middlesbrough begin their Championship season at home to Portsmouth this weekend, a fixture you can find on our fixtures schedule. With the league standings starting to take shape, a strong start will be the immediate focus for this newly numbered group.
