Chris Wilder has got his man, with Middlesbrough to sign Rovers’ out-of-contract captain Darragh Lenihan.

There has been a growing sense since the start of the month that Lenihan would be moving on, with no progress over talks over an extended contract.

Lenihan’s future was expected to be guided by Rovers’ managerial search, the defender keen to see his level of ambition matched by the club.

However, had also wanted that sorted by the time he went away on international duty, and with Rovers yet to name a new head coach, the Lancashire Telegraph can confirm that the 28-year-old is set to move on.

It represents a real blow for Rovers who are not only losing a mainstay of their defence, but their Academy-produced captain who has grown into a real leader in recent seasons.

He took over the captaincy on a full-time basis last summer, and appeared in 42 of Rovers’ 46 Championship matches and passed 250 games for the club since making his debut in 2015.

Lenihan is currently away on international duty with Republic of Ireland, though hasn’t featured in their two games so far, which could have an impact on the announcement of the deal.

He is expected to sign a long-term deal at the Riverside.

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