MIDFIELDER Willo Flood began his career with Manchester City before moving to Cardiff in the summer of 2006.

The Dubliner then spent two seasons on loan to Dundee United, making 56 league appearances and winning the Scottish Premier League's Goal of the Season award for 2007-08.

A former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, 24-year-old Flood joined Celtic for an undisclosed fee in January 2009.

He moved to Boro on a free transfer in January 2010, signing on the same day as Celtic team-mates Barry Robson and Chris Killen with a contract to run until June 2011.

He quickly established himself as a crowd favourite at the Riverside, scoring a spectacular long-range goal in the 1-1 draw with Swansea City in January 2010.

However, he suffered a serious knee injury against Cardiff City in March that ended his season prematurely.

And one his comeback game on the first day of the 2010-11 season on August 7 2010, he dislocated his kneecap in an accidental clash with team-mate Matthew Bates.

He underwent surgery a few days later and was expected to be out for about six months.