Robson to leave Middlesbrough at the end of the season (From The Northern Echo)

Robson to leave Middlesbrough at the end of the season

4:05pm Thursday 16th February 2012 in Football By Scott Wilson

BARRY Robson has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old Scotland international will remain on Teesside for the remainder of the current campaign, before leaving when his contract expires in the summer.

Middlesbrough had an option to extend Robson's contract by another season, but the midfielder will now see out the final years of his career in the MLS.

“I’ve enjoyed my time with Middlesbrough enormously and the move to England has been good for me and for my career,” said Robson.

“My immediate priority is to help Boro win promotion to the Premier League, where the club and their supporters deserve to be.

“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 Vancouver."