THE first Austrian ever to play for Boro, Emanuel is a strong left-sided defender who was signed from Bayer Leverkusen after impressing while playing for AK Graz against Boro in the 2004-05 UEFA Cup.

Because of a suspension imposed by the Russian FA his debut with Boro was delayed.

The Austrian international had been sent-off in his final game when on loan with Spartak Moscow and he was given a 24-week ban, which seemed harsh and one which was reduced to eight weeks on appeal.

He eventually made his debut on Sunday August 28 2005, a half-time replacement for Franck Queudrue in a 3-0 home defeat inflicted by Charlton Athletic.

Emanuel played at left-back, centre-back and on the left of midfield during his first season at the Riverside but a serious facial injury sustained in a UEFA Cup match in Basel ended his campaign early.

But his best form came from his second season onwards when he switched to centre-back, earning him the Player of the Year award for his  outstanding contribution.

A disagreement with the Austrian management led to a brief absence from the international fold, but he returned in the 2007/08 season and played three games as his country jointly hosted Euro 2008.

Such was his importance to the Boro side that he was appointed captain by Gareth Southgate towards the end of the 2007/08 season.

The 2008-09 campaign saw Emanuel sent-off for the only time in his Boro career when he was shown the red card for a foul on Manchester United's Rodrigo Possebon in the second half of a Carling Cup third round tie at Old Trafford on September  23.

His final game of the season was at the Reebok Stadium on April 4, seven weeks before the end of the campaign, and he underwent surgery to repair knee damage soon afterwards.