Thursday 16 February 2017 20:38, UK
A young Middlesbrough fan who was disappointed when Jordan Rhodes left the club has received a hand-written letter from the striker explaining his decision to quit.
Supporter Oliver Warren had previously spent time watching his favourite player, Rhodes, train for the Teesside club before his January move to Sky Bet Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.
The eight-year-old noticed speculation building around the forward's career at the Riverside Stadium, and wrote a sympathetic letter - only to strike up an unlikely correspondence with the star.
Rhodes' note read: "Dear Oliver, Thank you for your letter and writing to me. It made me smile at a time when I was quite sad at Middlesbrough.
"I was quite frustrated at not being able to play or even being on the bench sometimes. So like you did I have had to change teams sadly. I would love to hear how you are doing at Riverside Juniors and hope you have scored some goals.
"I really loved playing for Middlesbrough and living in the area too. I hope you continue to enjoy your football as well as working very hard at school and one day I hope to see you playing number 9 for Boro.
"P.S. I hope your brother is ok too as I remember you both from training."
Oliver's mother Sarah Warren said: "He was upset, but I think he understood because he went through a similar thing.
"Oliver left a club because he didn't play as much football as he might like, and now he's at a new club."
Oliver said that Rhodes was his favourite player because "he was kind", and he has since found a new sporting hero in winger Adama Traore. But Oliver said he would continue to watch Rhodes play with his new club.
