MIDDLESBROUGH'S first team analyst Phill Hudson has left the club and linked up with Robbie Keane at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Hudson has worked for his hometown club for 11 years and has been a crucial part of the first team set-up since stepping up from the academy in the 2014/15 season.

Day to day, he played a key role at Rockliffe, helping to prepare meetings for head coach Michael Carrick, addressing the players on upcoming opponents and using analysis to help outline tactics.

On a matchday, Hudson would take in the game from a high vantage point and report down to the management team pitchside. Last season, he was often flanked by Grant Leadbitter.

Hudson joned Boro in July 2012, initially working in the academy before moving into the first team set-up part-time in 2014/15, the year Karanka's side reached the Championship play-off final. He became full-time first team analyst the following season and has held that role since, working under Karanka, Garry Monk, Tony Pulis, Jonathan Woodgate, Neil Warnock, Chris Wilder and Michael Carrick.

Keane - who was Boro's assistant manager during Woodgate's time in charge - was last week appointed as Maccabi Tel Aviv's new boss, replacing Karanka. And as the former striker set about building his backroom team, he made a move for the popular and well-respected Hudson. Hudson will work as senior performance analyst for the Israeli side.

Hudson wrote on his LinkedIn page: "On Monday I start a new adventure working for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.

"I’d like to thank everyone I’ve crossed paths with over the past 11 years at Middlesbrough and everyone I’ve worked with. This has been such a tough decision but one that I just can’t pass up. I want to thank Michael, Jonathan, Danksy, Fetts and Grant for their continued support since they came in and I only wish them all the very best of luck for this season, one that will end in success I’m sure of it.

"It’s been an emotional 11 years but one I can look back on with immense pride. My home town club! Now to Israel."