MIDDLESBROUGH are expected to confirm that controversial striker Alen Boksic is leaving the club with immediate effect - after costing them over £130,000 a game.

The Croatia World Cup star announced at the weekend that he has negotiated his release from his contract, which still has five months to run, and is ready to retire from football. Boksic was lured by former Boro boss Bryan Robson from Lazio for £2.5m two-and-a-half years ago.

Boro are refusing to comment on Boksic's claims, but it is understood they won't stand in the way of a player whose salary has been estimated at £60,000-a-week.

The club will be happy to cut their losses after manager Steve McClaren added to his attacking options with the signings of England international Michael Ricketts from Bolton and Under-21 cap Malcolm Christie from Derby, for a combined £6.5m just before the closure of the transfer window on Friday night.

At 33, Boksic has developed an increasing propensity to pick up niggling injuries and viruses, and has earned the nickname "Offsick'' from sceptical fans.

His reputed pay packet also caused consternation on Teesside, one of the country's unemployment blackspots.

Boksic was Boro's leading scorer in his first season at the Riverside, hitting 12 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions.

But he managed only eight goals in 26 outings last term, and this season has just two strikes to his name from 19 appearances, having started 13 times.

Including his salary and transfer fee, which together amount to a staggering £10.3m, Boro have forked out around £133,000 for each of Boksic's 77 appearances - before any pay-off is taken into account.

Boksic said: "After reflecting long and hard I have decided, in agreement with my bosses at Middlesbrough, to break my contract. I will bring my professional career to an end.''

But Boksic could not resist a parting shot, adding: "Boro's ambitions are not too high, so my leaving is not going to harm them in any way.

"The club have secured their place in the Premiership, so they can't do much more now until next season.''

Boro, who have also signed Derby defender Chris Riggott on loan with the guarantee of a permanent deal at the end of the season, rushed through a surprise late move on Friday for Brazilian international Doriva.

The 30-year-old schemer has arrived from Spanish side Celta Vigo and will provide cover until the end of the campaign.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.